27/03/2024
Local Bus Operator Torbay Buses secure 8 year contracts from Torbay Council to operate enhanced bus services within Torbay.
As part of Torbay Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, Torbay Buses, a subsidiary of Torbay Mini Buses have recently been successful in winning contracts to operate many bus service routes in Torbay in partnership with Torbay Council starting from the beginning of April. Historically these are services that have been subsidised by the Local Authority.
Torbay Buses already operate the 25, 62, 64 and 108/109 but have been successful in winning the contracts to operate the 61 and 65 services currently operated by Torbay Community Development Trust under the Ourbus brand. Many of the existing bus services are to be operated to a greatly expanded timetable offering more buses in the evenings and at weekends. Additionally, there is a large investment from Torbay Buses into newer, more suitable low emission vehicles, better passenger communication, onboard technology and driver training.
“New technology such as contactless payments, live vehicle tracking and audio/visual next stop notifications as well as updated vehicles make bus travel much more attractive and a far more viable alternative to using the car” explains Torbay Buses Transport Manager Ben Banks. “Torbay Buses are also part of the Government’s Bus Fare Cap scheme which caps all single fares to £2.00. With newer, low emission buses, it is an enjoyable, low cost and environmentally friendly way to travel. We are doing all we can to make your local bus journey easy.”
All of this greatly enhances local bus services for many Torbay residents. Torbay Buses owners Darren and Lisa Watts are excited by this new opportunity saying “We have always taken pride in running a friendly, reliable bus service for local residents but with additional funding from Torbay Council and long term contracts now in place, Torbay Buses are excited by the opportunity to increase our level of service and welcome new and existing passengers aboard.”
Changes to Torbay Buses existing services are as follows
25 – A change to the route to service Paignton sea front and Preston Sands. A new low-floor vehicle is on order to come into service this Summer.
62 – The weekday timetable has been extended to start an hour earlier at 08.30 and finish at the later time of 17.37. There is now also a Saturday and Sunday service. The route itself has been altered to serve the Sherwell Valley Road area.
64 – The weekday timetable has been extended to start at 08.30 in the mornings and finish at 19.11. As well as the existing Saturday service, there will now also be a service on a Sunday.
108 / 109 – The weekday timetable has been extended to start at 07.12 and finish at 18.45 making this bus service a more viable option for those commuting to work or education. There is also the addition of a Sunday service as well as the existing Saturday service. The timetable has been adjusted to allow more time for roadworks and traffic to enable the service to be more punctual.
New services for Torbay Buses are
61 - Operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday between Occombe Farm, Livermead and Torquay. A new low-floor vehicle is on order to come into service this Summer.
65 - Operating Tuesday and Thursday between The Willows, St Marychurch and Torquay. A new low-floor vehicle is on order to come into service this Summer.
In addition to these services, Torbay Buses continue to operate it’s SB Sainsbury Services which are part funded by Sainsbury’s.
These are
SB1 – Brixham to Paignton Sainsbury’s Tuesdays and Fridays
SB2 – Cherrybrook and Roselands to Paignton Sainsbury’s on Thursdays
SB3 – Foxhole and Marldon to Paignton Sainsbury’s on Thursdays
SB4 – Broadsands, Cherrybrook and Roselands to Paignton Sainsbury’s on Tuesdays and Fridays
SB5 – St Marychurch and Watcombe to Sainsbury’s, The Willows, Torquay on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
SB6 – Shiphay and Chelston to Sainsbury’s, The Willows, Torquay on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Full details of these bus services can be found at Torbay Buses website www.torbaybuses.co.uk
