New Electric Buses Introduced in South-East Cornwall

A fleet of six new electric buses are now on the roads of south-east Cornwall, connecting communities across the Rame Peninsula with cleaner air and quieter journeys.

Cleaner Travel for Rural Routes

Run by Go Cornwall Bus, the electric fleet operates on Route 70, linking villages including Torpoint, Millbrook and Cawsand. The service forms part of Cornwall’s supported bus network, which is subsidised by Cornwall Council to maintain essential transport links for rural areas.

As part of the rollout, ten trees will be planted for each new bus – meaning 60 new trees will be added across south-east Cornwall.

Expanding Cornwall’s Green Fleet

The Rame Peninsula’s new electric buses follow Cornwall’s first electric bus, which began service in Falmouth in July. Later this year, the entire Truro Park and Ride fleet will also switch to electric, with seven new zero-emission buses set to cover the busy city centre route.

Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for transport, said:

“These new buses are better for the environment, more accessible for passengers and quieter for the communities they serve.

“With road transport contributing to more than a quarter of Cornwall’s carbon emissions, we have a duty to look to more sustainable options and reducing our impact where we can.

“Being able to bring these buses to Cornwall is the result of the good partnership working we have with our local bus operators and Plymouth City Council. We’ll continue to look for further funding opportunities to bring more electric buses to Cornwall.”

A Cross-Border Partnership

The new buses are part of the Plymouth and South-East Cornwall Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 project, funded by the Department for Transport.

Councillor John Stephens, Plymouth City Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said:

“It’s great to be able to officially mark the introduction of electric buses on the Service 70, which connects Plymouth and the Rame Peninsula.

“This is an important bus route for communities either side of the Tamar and it’s fantastic to see the buses out on the road and on the Torpoint Ferry.

“The Plymouth and South-East Cornwall ZEBRA project is testament to the great partnership between all involved – Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, Plymouth Citybus and the Department for Transport – and demonstrates our shared commitment to providing high quality bus services and decarbonising transport.”

Designed for Accessibility

Each of the new buses has been built with accessibility in mind. Features include two wheelchair bays, step-free access, dementia-friendly interiors and audio-visual announcements that signal the next stop and when the bus is coming to a halt.

Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to see the first of these new electric buses out on the roads serving communities in south-east Cornwall.

“This investment is not only about delivering quieter, cleaner and more comfortable journeys for our passengers, but also about helping to secure the long-term sustainability of vital rural routes.

“Working alongside our partners in Plymouth and Cornwall Councils, and with the support of Government funding, we are committed to building a bus network that is fit for the future.”

£10 Million Government Boost

Funding for the Rame Peninsula’s service formed part of a wider bid to the Government’s ZEBRA 2 Fund, led by Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead group.

The Department for Transport contributed £10.34 million, with further investment of £19.6 million from Plymouth Citybus, £1.19 million from Cornwall Council, and £0.75 million from Plymouth City Council.

This funding will deliver 50 new zero-emission buses and electric charging infrastructure at the Milehouse Depot in Plymouth, where Go Cornwall Bus and Plymouth Citybus operate from.

Roads and buses minister Simon Lightwood said:

“It’s fantastic that these new fleet of electric buses are hitting the roads in Cornwall. This Government investment of over £10 million means that passengers will be able to enjoy greener and smoother journeys.

“Not only will these new buses mean less polluted roads in Torpoint, Millbrook and Cawsand, but it will also mean these villages continue to benefit from essential bus services which will improve access to opportunity, boosting economic growth in the South West – a crucial part of our Plan for Change.”

More Electric Buses Coming to Cornwall

Cornwall Council also secured £1.3 million from the ZEBRA 2 Fund towards infrastructure and buses for the Truro Park and Ride and Falmouth town service. The council committed a further £1.95 million, with bus operator OTS and Falmouth Town Council contributing £105,000 and £5,000 respectively to bring an electric bus to the town.