Final day for unique 'subscription bus routes'
They were saved by a community group six years ago, and from next month will return to being operated commercially
Last updated 27th Mar 2024
It's the final day for Torbay's famous unique subscription community bus service - as a commercial operator prepares to take over the two routes.
OurBus Torbay, part of Torbay Communities, has been operating the 61 and 65 routes after commercial operators pulled out more than six years ago.
The buses are due to pick up their last passengers today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) as the community group relinquishes control after covering 51,841 miles since 2020 and recieving £8,872.73 in donations.
In 2019, the 611 bus, which runs between Livermead in Torquay and the town centre via St Lukes, was believed to be the first community scheduled service in the country to be run using a subscription service committing passengers to paying weekly by direct debit.
It was joined two years later by a relaunched 65 service, which runs between The Willows and Market Street in Torquay via Hele, St Marychurch, Babbacombe and Plainmoor.
OurBus Torbay Community Transport Coordinator, Kelly Bedoyan said "At the core of both services was a dedicated team of volunteer drivers who kept the buses, which were nicknamed mobile community centres, running. More recently, the services have been subsidised by a grant from Torbay Council.
"It has been an absolute pleasure providing the 61 and 65 services. A big thank you needs to go out to all of our lovely passengers for supporting us and sticking by us even when we've not been able to run the services.
"An even bigger thank you has to go to all of the fantastic volunteer drivers, past and present, who have given up their time to drive the buses so that others could get out and about. We honestly couldn't have done it without each and every one of them, and they have certainly been our biggest asset, often going above and beyond when passengers need it the most.
"We've learnt a lot over the past five years and are now looking forward to providing more day trips and other community transport initiatives."
OurBus Torbay will now concentrate on organised day trips and the commercial operators will take over the 60 and 65 services.