'Step forward' as new electric buses enter service

The first buses as part of an all-electric fleet have entered service in Torbay, bosses have said.

Stagecoach South West said the launch marked a "significant step forward" for the area as the company carried out a "phased transition" to a fully electric fleet in Torbay.

Working with Torbay Council, the company said the new fleet would have 55 vehicles.

Stagecoach said it provided more than £23m for the buses and depot infrastructure, with other funding coming from the government and the council.

Torbay Council has said the buses would lead to carbon dioxide savings equal to taking about 2,000 diesel cars off the road over the course of their operation.

Stagecoach previously said the new electric buses would no longer be able to serve two streets in Devon because the vehicles were too big.

It said this would affect the 35A and 35C services, which would no longer serve Park Road and Hartop Road.

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