Ssshhh.. Torbay's £30million new electric bus fleet takes to the road in silence

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.

Stagecoach electric bus fleet launched at Torre Abbey Pic LDRS

“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.”
The launch was held in the grounds of Torquay’s historic Torre Abbey as the past came face to face with the future.
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.”

Stagecoach MD Peter Knight (left) and Torbay councillor Adam Billings shake on a great deal for the Bay Pic miraclePR.com

Stagecoach SW MD Peter Knight said: "Today we are officially launching 55 brand-new electric buses into service across Torbay. It’s the first time in many years that the area has seen such significant investment in new buses, and it marks the beginning of a transformational shift in how we power public transport here in the South West.
"Torbay is now only the second place in the UK to operate an all-electric bus network, and we’re proud to be working in close partnership with Torbay Council and with support from the Department for Transport to make this possible.
"These buses aren’t just new—they’re cleaner, quieter and better for our passengers and our environment. Each week, they will deliver over 40,000 fully electric journeys, covering more than 46,000 emission-free miles. That means saving over 60,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions every single week."

He added: "And for customers, this investment means our network across the bay will now be fully electric, with up to 10 buses an hour on some of Torbay’s busiest corridors, helping people get to work, school, appointments and days out more easily and reliably.
"Our new fleet includes a mix of modern electric vehicles designed for local routes and busy corridors alike: These buses offer smoother, quieter journeys, improved accessibility with dedicated wheelchair spaces and hearing loops, and better onboard information to make travelling simpler for everyone.

"This £29 million investment shows our long-term commitment to Torbay—to cleaner air, better transport, and stronger communities. It’s also just the start. We’re continuing our journey to bring electric buses to more towns and cities across the South West in the months ahead."

He thanked Torbay Council, the Department for Transport, dedicated colleagues, and their passengers for supporting this journey.

"Together, we’re building a greener, more sustainable future for public transport in Torbay, "said Mr Knight.

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.
Councillors have heard how the new electric bus fleet means the bay is leading the way in the battle against climate change.
The new fleet will take the place of all the company’s older diesel buses in Torbay over the coming weeks.
Other bus fleets elsewhere in Devon will also be replaced in the coming years, with Exeter, Plymouth and Barnstaple among them.
But Torbay is one of only two places in the entire country to have gone all-electric on the buses, and members of the bay’s overview and scrutiny committee heard that the initiative was a major part of the council’s climate change ‘action plan’.
“It’s Torbay leading the way,” said Cllr Billings (Con, Furzeham with Churston).
During the annual review of the action plan, councillors heard that the bay was on target on all but two of its targets.
An energy officer has not yet been recruited and the question of heating for the planned Brixham harbour redevelopment has not yet been answered.
But everywhere else, the council is on target. Projects include de-carbonising Sherwell Valley Primary School in Torquay by installing heat pumps and using solar panels to de-carbonise Tor Hill House.
Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) said a programme to install LED street lights had begun, and would be completed later this year. It would, he said, deliver around 11 per cent of the council’s overall carbon reduction target and save 230 tonnes of carbon.
“There will also be a substantial financial saving of around £300,000 a year,” he said. “It shows that environmental action can also be financially responsible.”
The new buses, he said, would cut emissions and reduce noise pollution as well as being better for passengers.
Committee members voted unanimously to accept the report, saying good progress was being made to deliver the action plan, but more work will be needed to work towards the 2030 target for the council to be net-zero and the 2050 target for the whole of the bay to get there.
More buildings including schools will be fitted with solar panels, with heat pumps to replace their ageing boilers.