Tough trading for bus and coach market
The UK new bus and coach market fell 18.8% in 2019, with annual registrations falling for a third consecutive year to 5,874 units.
This is according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The year finished on a positive note, however, as 18.5% growth in the fourth quarter brought an end to 11 straight quarters of decline.
Growth in the fourth quarter was driven by minibus registrations, which were up 49% to 1,311 units, while the market for single-deck and double-deck buses was down 13% and 27.8% respectively during the period.
Nigel Base, SMMT commercial vehicle manager, said: “A third straight year of decline for the bus and coach sector is worrying. While the market is cyclical, there’s no doubt that operators face many challenges in the current volatile climate. While the government’s announcement of a National Bus Strategy is welcome, now we need to see the implementation of a plan that will encourage passengers on to local buses, stimulate fleet renewal and get more of the latest, lowest emission buses and coaches on to local roads.”
