Stagecoach withdraws two Torquay routes as new electric buses too wide for narrow streets
By Eve
Stagecoach is removing services on Park Road and Hartop Road in Torquay from 1 February because its new battery electric buses are too large to operate safely on the narrow carriageways. The change affects the 35A and 35C routes and follows the operator's announcement that it will electrify its entire Torbay fleet with £361,000 in Department for Transport funding. The first vehicle, an Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV double decker, was unveiled in October.
Why it matters: The case highlights an infrastructure constraint that can limit electric bus deployment in historic town centres, even when funding is secured. Operators and councils procuring zero emission fleets may need to audit street widths and parking layouts before finalising vehicle specifications or route plans.