If you cant wait till July to see the new electric buses up close then next week you have a chance..
There will be a chance to look around one of Plymouth’s new electric buses on Tuesday 17 June as part of an information event celebrating Better Transport Week.
The annual national celebration of sustainable travel is organised by Campaign for Better Transport and this year’s theme is connecting communities and bringing people together.
In support of the week the Council, Plymouth Citybus and Stagecoach South West (as representatives of the enhanced bus partnership) will be joined by organisations including Access Plymouth, Bikespace, British Cycling, Plymouth Active and Sustrans for an all-day event in the city centre showcasing some of the many sustainable transport options in Plymouth.
The event, being held on the Armada Way piazza from 9.45am to 4pm will feature a ribbon-cutting on one of the new Plymouth Citybus zero-emission electric double-deckers at 10am before members of the public get the chance to hop aboard and look around.
The buses, which will enter service this summer, are the result of a partnership project led by Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, with the support of Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, and the Department for Transport. The project will replace almost half of the Plymouth Citybus fleet with brand new electric vehicles.
Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus, will cut the ribbon with Councillor John Stephens, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport. They will be joined by representatives from Campaign for Better Transport.
Councillor Stephens said: “Better Transport Week is a great opportunity to find out more about the many greener travel options in Plymouth and try some out. With a full week’s programme of activities there really is something for everyone – whether you prefer walking, cycling, buses, ferries or trains. Come along on the 17th to see what’s on offer and take a look around the new electric buses.”
Richard Stevens added: "Better Transport Week is a valuable moment to shine a light on the importance of sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking travel for our communities. As someone deeply committed to the future of our city, I believe better, cleaner transport is essential to Plymouth’s continued growth and wellbeing.
"We’re proud to serve a city that values clean air, access to green spaces, and a strong sense of community. The introduction of our new electric buses is just one part of our ongoing commitment to delivering quieter, cleaner, and more accessible journeys. It’s about protecting what makes Plymouth special and connecting people to the lives they lead every day.”
Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Good public transport networks, shared travel, walking, wheeling and cycling help connect us to the people we love, the things we need and the places that matter. That’s why we are delighted that Plymouth CityBus, Plymouth City Council and the Plymouth and South East Cornwall Zero Emission Bus Regional Area partners are using the week to launch Plymouth’s new electric bus fleet, which will help improve public transport journeys across the city and beyond.”
There will be various stands at the event, where people can get travel planning advice, find out more about The Big Green Trail (which returns on Saturday 21 June), learn about led walks, bike rides and cycle maintenance, pick up walking and cycling maps and much more.
Other events and activities will be taking place around Plymouth throughout the week. To view the full programme see our Better Transport Week page.
The Better Transport Week
The annual national celebration of sustainable travel is organised by the Campaign for Better Transport. The theme this year is connecting communities and bringing people together.
Upcoming Plymouth Better Transport Week 2025 events:
Monday 16 June – Train Day
Time: 9am to 3.30pm
Location: Starting at Plymouth station, Plymouth PL4 6AB
Pop along and see the Council’s Plymotion team in the Plymouth Station concourse where the team will be providing information on local rail services and, if you have time, join the team for a trip along the Tamar Valley branch line to Bere Ferrers where you can take part in a 3 mile circular walk and picnic before heading back into Plymouth by train.
For more information contact plymotion@plymouth.gov.uk
Tuesday 17 June – Bus Day
Launch of Plymouth’s electric buses
Time: 9.45am to 4pm
Location: Plymouth City Centre piazza, PL1 1DU
Join us on the piazza to see the new Plymouth Citybus zero-emission electric double deckers, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am involving Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus and Councillor John Stephens, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport,before members of the public have the opportunity to hop on board the new buses before they enter service this summer.
At the event there will also be a sustainable transport marketplace involving Access Plymouth, Bikespace, British Cycling, Plymouth Active Leisure, Plymouth Bike Hire, Plymouth Citybus, Plymotion, Stagecoach South West and Sustrans, showcasing some of the many exciting sustainable transport opportunities in Plymouth.
Wednesday 18 June – Bike Day
Breeze ride – females only
Time: 10am
Location: Coypool Park and Ride, PL7 4TB
Coypool to Longash. Sign up at www.letsride.co.uk
E-recumbent led ride
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Location: Adapted E-Cycle Hub, Coypool Park and Ride, PL7 4TB
Sign up at www.letsride.co.uk
Thursday 19 June – Active Travel Day
Adaptive wheeling session
Time: 10.30am
Location: Foulston Park Athletics Track (formally known as Brickfields), PL1 4NE.
Sign up at www.letsride.co.uk
Skipper ticket exploration day
Time: 10am
Location: Royal Parade (stop A20), Plymouth PL1 1DS
Join members of the Plymotion Team and catch the Stagecoach South West service 1 up to Roborough footbridge, then walk down through Widewell Woods onto Coombe Lane into Tamerton Foliot. Here we will have a picnic in the park and catch the Plymouth Citybus 42a back to Royal Parade.
For more information contact plymotion@plymouth.gov.uk
Wellbeing walk
Time: 6pm
Location: Plymouth Life Centre, PL2 3DG
A 30 to 60 minute walk suitable for all abilities, aiming to give women the confidence to exercise in a group at night.
No need to book, just turn up!
Friday 20 June – Business Day
Dr Bike
Time: 9am to 4pm
Location: Royal William Yard, Plymouth PL1 3RP
Join Bikespace and the Council’s Plymotion Team at the Royal William Yard for a chat about how to travel around our city and a free basic bike check.
No need to book, just turn up!
Saturday 21 June – Community Day
Big Green Trails
Time: 10am to 4pm
Get stuck into a day of free, fun and eco-friendly activities as The Big Green Trail returns on Saturday 21 June, from 10am to 4pm — packed with things to do for all ages across six locations in Plymouth.
For more information visit Free activities on tour at The Big Green Trail
The Big Green Trail
Get stuck into a day of free, fun and eco-friendly activities as The Big Green Trail returns on Saturday 21 June, from 10am to 4pm — packed with things to do for all ages across six locations in Plymouth.
From sock puppetry, wildflower planting, and bookmark making, to foraging walks, scrap sculpture crafting, and 360° camera nature filming, there’s plenty on offer to entertain, inspire and connect people with nature and local green projects.
Here’s a snippet of some of the activities visitors can get involved in:
- Try out adapted e-cycles or join led rides
- Have your bike serviced for free
- Join a crochet or felt-making workshop using recycled materials
- Take part in bug hunting, plant walks or even fossil digging
- Enjoy games, performances, and art sessions
- Collect stamps at each trail stop in the trail activity pack
To help people move around the trail, Plymouth Citybus is running a free hop-on, hop-off bus along the trail route — just head to the nearest bus stop at each location. Anyone wanting to give cycling a go can enjoy 15 minutes free on a Beryl e-bike from any of the Beryl bays, minutes will be automatically applied to your account. For more details about the travel information visit the map on the event listing.
Over 40 local organisations and community groups are taking part and putting on free activities across six key locations:
- The Box
- Barbican, Mayflower Steps
- Union Street at The Plot
- Royal William Yard
- Devonport Park
- Central Park
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “There will be something for everyone at this event. We have lots of organisations on board to make the day enjoyable and full of activities.
“The day is aimed at focusing on our green projects in the city and it’s free - all while encouraging people to move around using sustainable travel and get out and about to explore our city.”
There is a map of the free bus
but annoyingly there is no proper timetable, instead you have to click on the main bus stops on the map to get a small box with the times. Not very user friendly at all.
More cast-offs due from Excelsior Coaches in the form of 2 17 plate Plaxton Elites.
ReplyDeleteAll coaches are being repainted an insipid dull red without fleet names
It looks like Go-Ahead have lost all interest in Plymouth & are believed to be looking at shutting down operations at Milehouse with the entire fleet being relocated to Cornwall depots, the word on the grapevine indicates a full withdrawal by January 2026
What a load of nonsense. There are two brand new Irizars on their way across from Spain. As for the other half of the comment, is this the same Go Ahead who are investing millions of pounds into new buses, electrification works in the depot ? A very poor and childish comment with no evidence or backing
DeleteCan't see that. Is that to run Plymouth from Cornwall or look to sell Plymouth ops?
DeleteNot sure how that would work with all the electric ones as citybus depot at milehouse now adapted for this?
DeleteSo why are there 50 electric buses due here???
Deletethere isnt gonna be a chance that citybus is going anywhere after getting 50+ brand new buses, a whole depot charging station installed, and the fact there still the main bus company in pretty much both sides of plymouth and cornwall... if anything i would imagine first bus leaving cornwall in a few years time and plymouth citybus staying strong here where they always have been
DeleteGraham i'm all for freedom of speech but when people post fake news like this maybe those comments should be rejected unless they can be proven otherwise.
DeleteSometimes they are so far off the mark I find them almost funny. As long as they are not insulting or rude then I generally post them, but will keep an eye on things.
DeleteAll I know is the network isn't working well at the moment. Smaller E200MMC buses on big, busy routes and loads of cancellations due to "operational issues". 3 times last week my bus was cancelled after work and when the next one turned up it was too small and we couldn't all fit on.
ReplyDeleteFranchising is coming soon
ReplyDeleteNo it's not.
DeleteThis may not get published as my last comment wasn't.
ReplyDeleteAging double deckers ,breaking down ,spare parts having to be ordered ,as Go Ahead only allow so many spares in the depot . This explains why youre seeing more single deckers on busy routes
Stagecoach under souter had the policy of order parts when required remember a time when a new bus was parked up for 3 weeks awaiting parts and also a merc 709 loaded with spares and standby driver told find a layby and we will call you when the auditor has left so they didn't get a rollocking. And both these depots are still stagecoach
DeleteI've not deliberately held back on any posting. so if its been missed sorry. Most of the elderly double decker's are going very shortly so its no point in spending much money on them.
ReplyDelete