* Double-deckers underpin rolling year growth in total bus and coach registrations.
* Minibus registrations to 3.5t fall steeply in contrast to midibuses.
* Large coaches exceed last year’s volumes at 1,119 units.
“In the current economic climate, there is relatively good news from the passenger carrying sector. Although year to date bus and coach registrations are down 7.8%, buses over 8.5 tonnes and all coaches show double digit growth,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “While we can expect the market to remain stable over the immediate months, the mid-term outlook should be treated with caution.”