UK bus and coach registrations return to growth as double-decker demand jumps 64.2%
SMMT figures show Britain's new bus, coach and minibus market rose 3.1% to 2,065 units in Q3 2026, with zero emission buses taking almost a third of registrations even as year-to-date volumes remain down 32.1% on last year's 17-year fleet renewal peak.
Britain's new bus, coach and minibus registrations rose 3.1% to 2,065 units in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to SMMT.
The growth was driven by double-decker buses, up 64.2% to 729 units, which SMMT attributed to the ongoing fulfilment of long-term urban fleet renewal programmes. Minibus registrations fell 7.9% to 858 units, though the segment remained the largest by volume, while single-deck bus and coach registrations dropped 23.6% to 478 units.
Despite the quarterly rise, SMMT said year-to-date registrations remain down 32.1% as the market normalises following a 17-year high in fleet renewal activity in 2025.
Zero emission bus registrations rose 11.9% to 630 units, taking a 30.5% share of the market, up from 28.1% a year earlier but still below the record 37.3% share recorded in Q1 2025.
England accounted for the vast majority of registrations, up 10.6% to 1,926 units and representing 93.3% of the Q3 total. Scotland and Wales both declined, down 55.2% to 86 units and 25.0% to 45 units respectively.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said manufacturers are investing heavily in zero emission technology "that can meet almost every bus operator's need" but that access to incentives and depot grid connections remain key barriers, adding that continued support would let the new bus market "continue to lead decarbonisation in the UK – and in Europe."
SMMT said grid connections can currently take up to 15 years for the largest projects, and that GB Grid could help speed up depot connections. It also said England's £2 bus fare cap, due from January 2027, should give operators greater confidence in passenger demand and support further fleet renewal investment.
Sources
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