Bus and coach registrations were up by 15% in March -- the third consecutive monthly increase – according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The March plate change boosted orders from operators, with purpose-built vehicles seeing the sharpest increase, at 73%. Purpose-built buses saw the highest increase, at more than 111%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, says the results are "a positive sign for the future of the bus and coach sector".
He adds: "Continued economic confidence has driven a 73.2% boom in both purpose-built markets, as operators update their fleets and take advantage of March's number plate change."
Single-deckers under 8.5 tonnes were the top performer in the purpose-built bus sector, rising by 271% in March.
