We have expressed our disappointment with the news that we have been unsuccessful in our bid for Bus Back Better funding.  

In October 2021, we submitted a bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) to secure an initial £24.8m of funding to support our ambitions for the future of bus travel in Torbay through our Bus Service Improvement Plan.  

The plan concentrates on five priority areas; buses to serve the wider community, buses to link with facilities, lower fares, accessibility and decarbonisation.  

The proposals include reducing fares, reinstatement and expansion of the night service, offering better connectivity beyond the core routes, safer access to stops on residential routes and make the fleet greener and cleaner.  

Cllr Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, said; “We are disappointed with the news that we were unsuccessful with our bid. A successful outcome would have protected and enhanced services that matter to those in our local communities.  

We will continue with our commitment to form an Enhanced Bus Partnership with local operators to deliver improvements where we can. We will continue with investments such as new shelters and the updated bus interchange facilities proposed for Cary Parade as part of the Torquay Town Deal Investment Plan.  

We will also look to work with neighbouring authorities to improve ticketing arrangements where possible and support a passenger charter to ensure quality customer service.” 

Cllr Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said; “We need to ensure that Torbay’s bus network is fit for the future, not only supporting our wider regeneration plans, but from an environmental point of view. Transport is the largest single contributor to carbon emissions in Torbay, the provision of greener and cleaner busses is a vital element of responding to our climate emergency commitments.  

“We will finalise a strategy for the transformation of our bus network to electric vehicles, whilst working with operators to encourage a greater use of buses in Torbay.”  

Find out more about our commitment to improving bus travel in Torbay.