Electric buses too big to serve some streets

New electric buses will no longer be able to serve two streets in Devon because the vehicles are too big to squeeze through.

Changes in Torquay from 1 February are due to affect the 35A and 35C services, which will no longer serve Park Road and Hartop Road.

Bus operator Stagecoach said the service changes were "necessary" so its new buses could operate safely and reliably.

It plans to operate 55 zero-emission buses across Torbay, providing what it said would be cleaner, quieter and more sustainable travel. The operator added it was working with Torbay Council to review the 35 route and consider whether additional bus stops may be possible.

Managing director Peter Knight said: "The issue is primarily one of vehicle size. The new electric buses are larger than the previous diesel vehicles that operated this service.

"Operating buses of this size on those roads would create safety and reliability issues, particularly when passing parked vehicles."

Stagecoach said the changes were part of a major investment in cleaner public transport, with the fleet of brand new electric buses entering service across Torbay, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

Knight said it was a "significant step forward for public transport" across the county.

He said: "While this route change is necessary to allow the new vehicles to operate safely, our priority remains with our customers."

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