Bus operators in Wales have put the brakes on fleet renewal despite the Welsh Government promoting public transport over private use.
Welsh bus fleet renewal was the worst in Britain in the last sales quarter but the figures have been distorted by the very low numbers for Wales compared to other parts of the UK. However, year to date figures show Welsh fleets were down over 30% for new models so registrations have fallen faster in recent months compared with earlier in 2025.
UK registrations of new buses, coaches and minibuses fell -17.0% in the third quarter of 2025, reaching 1,965 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The national decline marks the end of nine consecutive quarters of growth, with falling minibus registrations chiefly responsible, volumes down -39.8% to 895 units following strong growth in the same period last year. Single and double-deck bus and coach registrations, however, both rose – up 35.8% and 5.7% to 626 and 444 units respectively.
Zero emission vehicle uptake also recorded growth, rising 16.3% in the quarter to 563 units and accounting for more than a quarter (28.6%) of all new buses, coaches and minibuses joining the road in July, August and September.
Diesel registrations, meanwhile, declined -25.5% to 1,402 units. This progress reflects significant industry investment in new technologies, with more than 20 zero emission models now available, alongside government support through Zero Emission Bus Regional Area funding.
England accounted for 87.0% of the market, equivalent to 1,709 registrations, although the performance was down -17.9% on the same period in 2024. The second largest market, Scotland, saw the most growth, up 96.9 % to 191 units, while fleet renewal declined in Wales and Northern Ireland – down -65.9% and -61.9% – but at small volumes of just 57 and 8 registrations respectively.
