Photo Post

Catching up

Plymouth Citybus have repainted ADL Enviro200 142 (WA08 LDV) back into the Best Impressions livery it wore when new, in memory of former general manager Andrew Wickham.   It attended his funeral in Dorset.

© Mark Bailey – with thanks

In more up to date news..

Today ahs seen a few more of the Electroliners out and about and they have appeared on a few other routes, not just the 21s. 7013 was one of a couple out on 50 this morning, seen here at Derriford. Sadly for me the 51s were all in the hands of the London Enviros.

Better Transport in Plymouth Today

Thanks to Mark Bailey for supply these great shots from town today:

A few photos from the Better Transport Week event in Plymouth city centre today.

Citybus brought along two of their new Wright StreetDeck Electroliners, 7001 (GO25 ELC) and 7018 (BN25 DFE).  7001 was delivered as BN25 DCY and I'm not sure if it has been re-registered or was just sporting the GO25 ELC plate for the event.   (I believe it has been properly re-registered) I was told that these two buses were chosen because they had the most charge in their batteries!  They are due to enter service in six weeks time once the charging infrastructure at Milehouse is complete.  A leaflet has been produced showing their green credentials. 

Also available at the event were printed copies of a long overdue Plymouth bus map showing all operators, and produced by the Plymouth Bus Partnership

all photos © Mark Bailey with thanks!

Better Transport Week

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Electrifying

Citybus are ramping up the publicity for their new electric fleet:

The first of fifty zero-emission electric double-decker buses have now arrived in Plymouth, marking a major shift toward cleaner, more sustainable public transport.

The buses are part of a transformative project led by Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, and the Department for Transport. The initiative will replace almost half of the Plymouth Citybus fleet with brand-new electric vehicles.

The first bus arrived on 22nd April and deliveries have continued steadily since then, with more due over the coming weeks, prior to the buses entering service this summer.

The electric buses will operate on Plymouth routes 21/A, 42, and 50/51, with six vehicles also serving the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall on route 70. The full fleet of 50 buses is scheduled to be on the road by the end of the year.

To support the electric buses infrastructure work is progressing rapidly and the transformation of the Milehouse depot into a state-of-the-art hub for charging and maintaining the electric fleet is on track for completion this summer, thanks to the investment by the project partners.

The project is being primarily funded by Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, contributing £19.6 million, supported by a £10.34 million grant from the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 Fund, with additional contributions of £1.94 million from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council.

Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus said: “The arrival of our first electric buses marks a huge step forward, not just for Plymouth Citybus but for the city as a whole. Our team is thrilled to be part of this positive change, and we are fully committed to building a greener transport network for generations to come.”

The new buses will bear a livery showcasing their green credentials and recognising the partners’ investment.

They are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 79,914 tonnes over their lifetime,  as well as reducing NOx (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) emissions by 28 tonnes, and PM (particulate matter) 2.5 emissions by one tonne.

Councillor Mark Coker, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Plymouth’s first electric buses and to be supporting the establishment of Milehouse as an electric bus depot. This is a major milestone and demonstrates the commitment of all the project partners – and wider enhanced partnership – to delivering better bus services for the city. I look forward to seeing the new buses out on the road and passengers enjoying the more accessible space and journey information they offer.”

The buses are not only green; they also deliver significant improvements to accessibility, including additional space to accommodate a second wheelchair user or multiple unfolded pushchairs or prams, alongside the mandatory wheelchair space. The new buses also feature audio-visual announcements to provide clear information on routes and upcoming stops.

Route 70 on the Rame Peninsula forms part of Cornwall Council’s supported bus network. Cornwall Council has also successfully bid for further ZEBRA 2 funding to provide electric buses in Falmouth and Truro. 

Rebecca Riley, Head of Connectivity and Transport Policy at Cornwall Council, said: “We want to support our residents to make greener and healthier choices about how they travel as well as provide sustainable services to connect our communities.

“This work reflects the great partnership between neighbouring councils and transport operators as well as our commitment to decarbonising transport, which is a central theme of our Local Transport Plan.”

🚍 The first of 50 zero-emission electric double-decker buses has officially arrived in Plymouth

The new buses will replace nearly half of the @plymouthbus fleet with electric vehicles. ⚡

Find out more ➡️ https://t.co/dZif0bZZWe

📷 Plymouth Citybus pic.twitter.com/QdrGEIw6h6

— Plymouth City Council (@plymouthcc) May 9, 2025

BBC South West had a small film from Milehouse tonight of the buses along with an interview with Richard Stevens

New electric bus fleet prepares to hit the streets https://t.co/M3RhkxXDBD

— BBC Devon (@BBCDevon) May 12, 2025

With the first of them due into service in June its not long to wait now…

I must admit they look really smart and the interior looks really good…

Oakleys

Thanks to Mark Bailey for this:

Today Oakleys took over Devon CC contracted services 55, 56 and 98 from Plymouth Citybus.

Services were being worked by two Wright Streetlite WF acquired from Dartline - MX12 DZA and MX62 ANR - and both smartly repainted in Oakley's light grey livery and with full working destination indicators.  I've attached a shot of each in Yelverton.

Timekeeping though was very poor, 7-8 minutes late on average, and parts of the 55 route were missed out, whether because the driver wasn't familiar with the route or to claw back time I'm not sure.  Returning on the 55 from Milton Combe and Buckland Monachorum, the driver took a short cut to Yelverton, missing out Yelverton Rock (where I was patiently waiting) and the golf club.  And later, returning on the 55 from Tavistock, it didn't serve Walkhampton (where I was again) or Dousland as timetabled.  Not a great start, and let's hope things improve or they will be in trouble with the Traffic Commissioner.

© Mark Bailey – with thanks.

Oakleys themselves have acknowledged a few teething troubles:

We may have some teething issues, but we will do our best to serve the local community. It was good to see some familiar faces again. These buses are temporary buses operating the services until our brand new Mercedes Sprinters are delivered.

Hopefully things will settle down pretty quickly

A correction to yesterdays post it seems that only ONE of the new Streetdeck electrics has actually arrived so far at Milehouse. Thanks to all who have confirmed this. It looks like they will be numbered 77001 upwards. The first one at Milehouse is BN25DCZ which is 77002. It remains to be seen if they keep the BN25 registrations or get more local WA plates. 

Going Electric

Plymouth Citybus are gaining yet more electric buses as part of the latest Zero Emission Bus investment:

Go-Ahead, in partnership with the Department for Transport and local authorities, will invest in an additional 45 zero-emissions buses for its operating companies in Hull, Salisbury, Brighton & Hove, Isle of Wight and Plymouth.

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood visited the team at East Yorkshire Buses yesterday to hear about their plans to decarbonise the bus network across the region.

Go-Ahead’s zero-emission bus fleet is the largest in the United Kingdom with 1,500 zero-emission buses in operation or on order, demonstrating its commitment and leadership in zero-emission transport. Go-Ahead has received government support for 246 zero-emission buses, with some being introduced into service in the next few months.

Customers of East Yorkshire Buses, Salisbury Reds, Brighton & Hove Buses, Southern Vectis (Isle of Wight) and Plymouth CityBus will enjoy quieter and smoother journeys with the added benefit of knowing their travel is environmentally friendly.

Matt Carney, CEO, Go-Ahead Bus commented: “Our leadership and commitment to zero-emission transport is something we’re extremely proud of at Go-Ahead. We’re very grateful to the Department for Transport and our local authorities for this partnership, which will give more customers access to cleaner, greener public transport across the country.”

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, said: “Our investment will deliver new zero-emission buses to communities across England by 2027. This funding will not only make bus travel cleaner, greener, and more comfortable, but it will also create jobs, support local economies, and accelerate our journey towards a zero-emission future. From Hull to Hove, there’s an electrifying future on the way for our buses.”

Meanwhile Torbay Council detail their plans for Stagecoach to be the first fully electric fleet in the south west:

Department for Transport (DfT) funding of over £361,000 will provide further support for the delivery of an all-electric bus fleet in Torbay. The additional funds mean that over £7.4million is now available for us to deliver zero emission buses for the area. The Torbay fleet will be the first all-electric fleet in the Peninsula Transport area that covers Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.

Funding for the new fleet will come from the DfT’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas 2 (ZEBRA) scheme. The scheme was created to assist us to work with local bus operators to make the transition to zero emission bus fleets.

Stagecoach’s Torquay Depot will become their first fully electric depot in the South West of England. This is a landmark achievement, as the award means that Torbay will become one of the few areas in the UK to have an entirely zero emission bus fleet run by our main operator. The transition to an all-electric fleet is made even more significant given that Stagecoach runs around 97% of our local bus network.

The new all-electric fleet of 55 vehicles will deliver real benefits for Torbay. The buses are better designed and more comfortable for passengers. Over the course of the buses’ lifespans, they will result in carbon dioxide savings equal to taking an estimated 2,000 diesel cars off the road. Zero-emission buses will provide additional improvements to the air quality across our streets and towns. This will benefit pedestrians, cyclists and people who live close to our main bus routes.

Delivery of the scheme is proposed as part of the Torbay Enhanced Partnership Plan (EPP). The EPP is an agreement we've made with our bus operators to work together to improve local bus services. The EPP has already been busy providing improvements to our wider bus fleet, by delivering a newer fleet of buses for Torbay Buses on the supported bus network.

The EPP can also confirm that 49 new electric buses have been ordered. The zero emission buses, from manufacturers Alexander Dennis and Yutong, will consist of a mix of single and double deck vehicles. The buses are due to arrive in winter this year. It is projected that by summer 2026, Stagecoach will have a 100% zero-emission bus fleet operating in our area. This will mark an historic moment for our local transport network.

Funding the new electric bus fleet is one part of our significant investment to provide high quality bus services in Torbay. The delivery of a modern and decarbonised transport network is an important element of local travel options. Working in partnership, the EPP will support you to choose to travel how you want to.

Cllr Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking for Torbay Council, said; "This additional funding will bring the overall funding amount to over £7.4 million which will allow the Stagecoach bus fleet in Torbay to become 100% electric. This is an excellent result for our residents.

“The new buses will be better to travel in and their lack of tailpipe emissions will contribute to improving air quality. This will particularly benefit our town centres as well as cyclists and pedestrians generally.

“Alongside the planned improvements to our bus services, the introduction of new routes, more frequent busses, better quality information and better quality bus stops, the new electric bus fleet will provide an improved public transport travel option while also reducing carbon emissions. I am confident more people will use the modern electric bus fleet as their first option for transport around Torbay."

Peter Knight, Managing Director at Stagecoach South West, said; “The additional funding means we can completely replace our entire fleet in Torbay and remove the diesel fuel tank from our Torquay Depot, marking an important milestone on the road to Net Zero.

"We're making lots of progress in the background, planning for the arrival of the all-electric fleet for the Bay. This will help deliver our shared ambitions to reduce carbon emissions, deliver cleaner air and thriving bus services that support our region. We look forward to welcoming the all-new fleet that will benefit the local community and bus users alike."

The good newest is that the Plymouth Citybus fleet has started to arrive with the first coming down this weekend just gone. I would imaging they will have been hidden away for now so I suspect it will be a while before any official phots are released or allowed from the depot, but keep an eye out for deliveries on their way to Plymouth over the coming weeks!