‘Silent service’ on the buses could boost Torbay business

Torbay’s silent revolution is winning over bus passengers across the English Riviera.

Stagecoach has invested £30million in a fleet of new single and double decker electric buses, making Torbay only the second place in the whole of the UK to have an all-electric fleet.
The project has been delivered by Stagecoach and Torbay Council, who worked together to secure government funds. The bus company’s investment makes up three quarters of the total cost of the fleet, with the rest supported by the Department for Transport working alongside the council.
“This is a really good outcome, not only for Torbay but also for the whole of the South West,” said Torbay councillor Adam Billings (Con, Furzeham with Churston) at an official launch event for the fleet. “This is bringing in investment that benefits all of us.”
A total of almost 60 quiet, zero-emissions vehicles are now plying the bus routes around the bay, and passengers are already enjoying the smoother ride.
The launch marks the first time in two decades that brand-new buses have been introduced across the area.
“I’m really proud that we’ve been able to work with a private sector partner to make this happen,” said Cllr Billings.
“I would encourage other private sector partners, in whatever field it might be, to see that this is an attractive place to do business. We want to attract inward investment because that’s how we’ll deliver the best outcomes for our residents.
“This is one example of what we can do when we show that Torbay is an attractive place to do business, and I’d look forward to us doing this in lots of other fields, whether it’s public transport, whether it’s high tech, whether it’s health or any of the other fields that can benefit our residents.”
The Torbay fleet comprises six 25-seat minibuses, a dozen 31-seat ‘midibuses’ and 37 double-deckers, each of which has 73 seats. All three sizes of bus have wheelchair ramps and spaces, next-stop announcement screens and hearing loops.
Passengers will find themselves travelling in near-silence, with the air conditioning the only disturbance of the peace. There are no gear changes or other noises to overwhelm the announcements of where the bus will stop next.
Video screens announce route details, and the electronics also include charging points for passengers’ mobile phones.
Pedestrians are free from the noise and fumes of the traditional diesel buses passing by.
All the new buses have air conditioning from a zero-emission heat pump. Minibuses and double-deckers are made by the Alexander Dennis company in the UK. The midibuses are made by Chinese company Yutong.
The mini and midibuses have an energy efficiency of 0.9kilowatts per kilometre while the double decker uses 1.2kilowatts.