The UK’s new coach and bus market fell for the fifth consecutive quarter in the first three months of 2018, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
1,793 units were registered in Q1, a fall of 4.5% on the same period last year.
Double-deckers saw the biggest decline in demand, falling by 37.8% to 301 units, while single-deckers also saw a double digit decline, down by 18.0% to 461.
Demand for minibuses saw a reversal of five quarters of negative growth, with registrations up by almost a quarter (24.1%).
Talking about the figures, Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The continuing decline in the new coach and bus market is concerning given the importance of fleet renewal in improving urban air quality.
“To get more of the latest low emission Euro VI diesel, hybrid and zero emission electric buses into our towns and cities, operators must have both economic and regulatory certainty to give them the confidence to invest.”
