The Torbay Community Development Trust (TCDT), last year launched a new local community bus service following an important route being axed by Local Link back in 2017.
The new bus service, called Our Bus, currently operates the number 60 route which travels between Paignton and Torquay via Preston, Occombe Farm, and Livermead.
When it was axed by its original provider it was thought that the route was not sustainable for Local Link to continue with the route.
Despite the route going out to tender towards the end of last year, no other bus company stepped in.
Further routes have since been axed including route 65 and route 67.
However, similar to what happened last year the TCDT have stepped in again and have been awarded a £95,000 grant from Torbay Council.
This grant will be used to continue operating both the 60 route and also to reinstate the 65 and turn the 67 route into a “dial-a-bus” style scheme.
Torbay Bus Routes secured
The number 65 operates from central Torquay to Torquay Hospital and onto the Willows shopping centre via Ellacombe, Babbacombe and Hele.
The number 67, whilst not being reinstated fully, will turn into a dial bus scheme enabling people from Brixham who find it difficult to use buses an alternative form of transportation to be able to get to Torquay Hospital.
The grant funding will enable the TCDT to continue to operate the number 60 route, purchase new busses and expand the bus service to include the new routes.
Simon Sherbersky from the TCDT said:
We are really pleased to be awarded the funding so we can step in and deliver these much needed bus services.
With the help of our drivers, many of whom are volunteers, we can continue to provide community transport services for residents of Torbay
As part of this the TCDT are currently looking for a new Community Bus Drive, all of the details can be found on the website.
The next port of call to get the routes reinstated is for the TCDTto re-register the new and current services with the Department for Transport, a process which can take up to 4 weeks to fully resolve.
