No more on the buses
The UK bus and coach market shrunk by 22.1% in the third quarter of this year.
According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the overall decline was driven by a stoppered demand for minibus and single-deck vehicles, down 24.7% and 30.7% respectively.
Registrations for single-deck buses and coaches have fared the worst, down 60.5% on this time last year, with bus usage down by more than 50% since Covid-related restrictions were first implemented in mid-March.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The ongoing impact of coronavirus on bus ridership has resulted in another difficult quarter for the suffering bus and coach sector. If we are to see more of the latest, greenest passenger vehicles join British roads and ensure we have a public transport system fit for the future, we need to rebuild operators’ confidence and ability to invest in their fleets. This must start with the delivery of promised government funding for buses earlier in the year.”
