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· Positive trend for big buses held through to Q4 2008 led by double-deckers
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· Large coaches saw a big fall in 2008, but total still above 2000-2005 average
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· Significant structural and spending shifts in bus and coach demand since 2003
“December’s data registrations raised a note of caution over the recent strong growth in double-deck bus registrations”, said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “The trend held for most of the year and growth hit 122% after demand had reached an atypically low level in 2007. Big bus demand will be hit by the abrupt recession but may prove more resilient than coach demand has been. Given stable funding and passenger numbers, the growing use of buses in urban and remote rural areas should support the market”.