15/09/2008

• Stagecoach seeks further commuter feedback on Torbay ferry trial
• New cheaper 'Early Bird' fares incentive to get on board
• Detailed research planned for last week of Bayfast project
• More than 10,000 passengers use Torquay-Brixham link

Stagecoach is to undertake detailed customer research in the last week of the Torbay ferry trial to get further feedback from commuters.

The innovative Bayfast service, which has been funded without any cost to the public, operates between Torquay and Brixham and has already attracted a mix of commuter and leisure passengers seeking a fast link across the Bay.

Special 'early bird' commuter fares will now be available from 19 September 2008 to gain as much insight as possible into the future use of the ferry by people travelling to and from work.

Customers travelling between Monday and Friday on any of the first three trips of the day from either Torquay or Brixham will be able to purchase a return ticket for £1 - and have the flexibility of returning on any subsequent journey that day.

Stagecoach will be seeking on-board feedback from commuters on these trips to understand what influences their travel decisions.

Information is also being sent to employees at Torbay Council and Torquay Hospital to encourage them to get on board and provide their feedback.

Richard Stevens, Operations Director for Stagecoach Devon, said: "We have had an excellent response to Bayfast during the first two weeks of the trial, attracting more than 10,000 commuter and leisure passengers so far.

"The project is designed to learn as much as possible about the potential market for a permanent crossing. We want to spend the remainder of the trial getting an insight into the requirements of different types of passengers and what influences their travel habits.

"We understand some people may be less inclined to switch transport for a short-term trial, so we are offering these special early bird fares to attract people on board to tell us what they think. Their feedback will be an invaluable part of helping us establish the future potential for Bayfast."

The £200,000 Bayfast service is funded entirely at Stagecoach's expense and has attracted an average of more than 700 passengers a day since its launch at the end of August.

Launched in partnership with Torbay Council, Bayfast provides fast 15-minute connections and up to 15 return trips a day, with services also operating at the weekend.

Passengers have given the new service, which cuts more than an hour off peak road-based journey times, an overwhelming thumbs-up.

The Bayfast service is operated using a 32-metre 138-seat RedJet 1 catamaran, on charter from Southampton-based company Red Funnel.

Tickets for the Bayfast service, which is up to six times faster than current road-based links between Torquay and Brixham, are on sale from the Stagecoach Travel Shop on Victoria Parade, Torquay. They can also be purchased on board local Stagecoach buses and at the quayside departure point.

Standard fares are £4 single and £6 return. Prices for senior citizens are £3 and £5, while child fares are £2.50 and £4.50. Stagecoach Dayrider bus ticket holders can also use the ferry for a supplement of £2.

Bayfast provides early and late services to cater for Torbay's commuters, as well as shoppers and tourists. The first weekday service is at 0650 from Brixham, with the last ferry from Torquay as late as 1950 based on demand. A booking system makes travel easier for regular commuters, allowing them to reserve a place on a specific crossing up to 24-hours in advance.

Existing harbour facilities are being used at Torquay and Brixham to accommodate the craft, which can operate at speeds of up to 30 knots. For any permanent service that may be introduced in the future, both Stagecoach and Red Funnel will give consideration to which boat in their service fleet will offer the most fuel efficiency for the crossing. A 28-seat bus shuttle link gives passengers arriving in Torquay at Beacon Quay access to the main bus stops on the parade.

Customers can find full details about the Bayfast service on-line at www.stagecoachbus.com/Devon.

Stagecoach's 12/12a bus service, which carries 4.5 million passengers a year, is currently the only public transport link between the two locations. However, due to road congestion, the journey time between Torquay and Brixham is normally 42 minutes and up to 90 minutes in the summer tourist season.

The four-week Bayfast trial runs until 27 September.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Steve Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications, Stagecoach Group
T: 01738 442111 (office) or 07764 774680 (mobile)
E:steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com

Richard Stevens, Operations Director, Stagecoach Devon: 07803 888 676 (mobile)

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport company with bus and rail operations in the UK and North America. The Group employs around 30,000 people and runs around 12,000 buses and trains.
• In Devon, Stagecoach employs more than 900 people and operates around 300 buses in and around Exeter, Torbay, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple, Bideford, Exmouth, and Sidmouth.