SMMT BUS AND COACH INDUSTRY NEWS
- The total bus and coach sector grew 15.8% in January to 484 registrations, but the rolling year was down 11.7%.
- Registrations of purpose-built buses and coaches grew 40.6% in January despite the rolling year falling 58.2%.
- Converted bus registrations fell 9.7% in the month and by 29.5% over the past 12 months.
“The purpose-built bus and coach sector grew 41% in January boosted by strong demand for double-deck buses – three times more were registered this January versus the same month last year,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “Converted buses saw slower uptake, dropping 9.7%, but the total bus and coach sector grew 15.8% despite ongoing concern over the stability of the market and the wider economy.”
UK bus and coach registrations: 2012 and % change on 2011
| January | % change | Year-to-date | % change | Rolling year | % change | |
| Purpose-built single-deck buses < 8.5t | 12 | 200.0% | 12 | 200.0% | 88 | -53.2% |
| Purpose-built single-deck buses >8.5t to 12t | 11 | -15.4% | 11 | -15.4% | 228 | -6.2% |
| Purpose-built single-deck buses >12t to 16t | 39 | -42.6% | 39 | -42.6% | 777 | 5.6% |
| Purpose-built single-deck buses > 16t | 6 | -40.0% | 6 | -40.0% | 231 | -27.1% |
| Purpose-built double-deck buses | 170 | 254.2% | 170 | 254.2% | 1400 | 60.7% |
| Purpose-built bus total | 238 | 66.4% | 238 | 66.4% | 2724 | 15.7% |
| Purpose-built coaches 3.5t to 16t | 10 | 42.9% | 10 | 42.9% | 78 | -42.6% |
| Purpose-built single-deck coaches >16t | 43 | -29.5% | 43 | -29.5% | 654 | -4.7% |
| Purpose-built double-deck coaches >16t | 7 | 600.0% | 7 | 600.0% | 21 | 61.5% |
| Purpose-built coach total | 60 | -13.0% | 60 | -13.0% | 753 | -9.8% |
| Purpose-built bus and coach total | 298 | 40.6% | 298 | 40.6% | 1333 | -58.2% |
| *Converted: Bus <3.5t | 34 | -38.2% | 34 | -38.2% | 534 | 32.5% |
| *Converted: Bus 3.5t to 8.5t | 152 | 0.7% | 152 | 0.7% | 2083 | -37.2% |
| *Converted: Bus >8.5t | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 200.0% |
| *Converted bus total | 186 | -9.7% | 186 | -9.7% | 2626 | -29.5% |
| *All buses and coaches | 484 | 15.8% | 484 | 15.8% | 6103 | -11.7% |
*Converted bus and coaches are counted in the SMMT van and truck news release. These vehicles are also represented here as they form an important part of the whole bus and coach market in the UK.
Big buses and coaches – rolling year registrations December 2007 to January 2012
The tables and charts below detail annual trends by gross vehicle weight and type for the whole bus and coach market, taking data from the purpose-built and converted sectors.
Annual trends – rolling year totals from December 2007 to January 2012.
