Stagecoach drops two Torquay streets from bus routes as 55 new electric buses prove too large for narrow roads
By Eve
Stagecoach will withdraw service from Park Road and Hartop Road in Torquay from 1 February because its incoming electric buses are larger than the diesel vehicles they replace, creating safety and reliability concerns when passing parked cars. The operator is deploying 55 zero emission buses across Torbay and is working with Torbay Council to review the 35 route for possible alternative stops. Managing director Peter Knight described the fleet investment as a significant step forward for public transport in Devon.
Why it matters: The case illustrates an infrastructure mismatch that can arise when procuring electric buses, where vehicle dimensions may exceed those of legacy diesel fleets and force route changes. Operators and local authorities planning zero emission bus rollouts must audit street widths and turning circles to avoid service gaps or costly road modifications.