SMMT figures published today show that UK bus and coach registrations increased by 97.9% in August over the same month last year.
469 units were registered in August, with growth driven by a surge in demand double-deck and converted buses. The August results have helped the year-to-date figures to maintain an increase of 19.9% over last year’s registrations.
“The bus and coach market enjoyed amazing year-on-year growth in August, with new registrations almost doubling,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “The significant growth in the bus segment, with big purpose-built single-deckers and double-deck vehicles posting significant increases, is encouraging and contrasts with the depressed August of 2014.
“However, ongoing uncertainty pending the government’s spending review and the outcome of the Buses Bill means that continued growth is far from assured.”