We have just received the following information regarding the 60/61 bus route.

The Council cut its subsidy for bus routes within Torbay last year and now the only subsidised services which the Council has any influence over is Route 25 (Goodrington – Paignton – Stoke Gabriel), which is jointly funded by DCC, Torbay, Route 66 (which the Council won funding for) and the Community Fare Car Service.

Routes 60/61, which serve St.Lukes Road, are commercial services operated by Local Link.  The Managing Director, Mr Derek French, decided to cancel the Saturday services last year on these routes, plus the Cockington service, because they were not commercially viable.  I believe he also had difficulties with driver cover on Saturdays.

Unfortunately, if Local Link chooses to alter their commercial routes and cut out the non-profitable parts, there is nothing the Council can do unless we have funding to support the gaps in services. With current budget pressures, this is most unlikely.

If the service was to be cancelled completely the only alternative the Council could offer is the subsidised fare car service which residents have to pay for.  The free bus pass is not valid on the fare car as this would be far too costly.

Mr French has not indicated that he will be cancelling the St.Lukes Road loop and must give 56 days’ notice of his intentions if he decided to do this.

Click here for information about Fare Car Torbay.