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Stagecoach is to trial a new fast ferry service in the south west of England. A 138-seat catamaran will carry passengers between Torquay and Brixham in Devon from 29 August to 29 September to test the potential for a permanent link (link below.)
http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/strategyandprojects.php?id=2173

The ^200,000 trial is being organised in partnership with Torbay Council, which is also the local harbour authority. The Bayfast-branded venture will provide up to 15 return trips a day, with services also operating at the weekend.

Bayfast will significantly improve journey times for people travelling across Torbay Harbour between Torquay and Brixham, with a fast crossing time of 15 minutes.

Will see how much it costs and might try it out

More than 5,000 passengers have used Stagecoach^s new fast ferry service during the first week of the trial (link below.)
http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5178

Stagecoach says the ^200,000 Bayfast service operating between Torquay and Brixham has attracted an average of more than 700 passengers a day since it was launched on 28 August.

Just imagine how many would have used a rail service featuring comparably modern technology.  OK, there must be a considerable novelty factor in the 'cat', but anyone who has experienced the Trans Bay Tribulation in high season will surely be happy not to sit in endless traffic queues.

I have often pondered the viability  of a through Shootin Rabbit - Torquay - Paignton - Churston rail  service, (with a bolted on limited stop bus connection into Brixham).  Technically feasible I think and the PDSR has a reasonable record of cooperation with other transport operators. (Round Robin tickets etc). FGW and other operators also run over the PDSR to Goodrington CS, so what price chocolate and cream 170s, er OK 150s... Pacers even... on Broadsands Viaduct? ;D

That would be awful! It would only fall apart in summer when the passing loop at Churston is required by PDSR. FYI, PDSR own all elements of the round robin ticket, as they own "RiverLink" boat and bus services  :D

A rail link would certainly be useful to serve the school 50m away from Churston station itself (or 5m if a link in the bridge was to be connected as it was back in the day)

I didn't realise the extent of the empire, I had thought they only went in for cinemas. ;D


OK, I admit, a slightly tongue in cheek post, but it seems ludicrous that what is effectively England's largest, (in area), unitary authority does not have  better internal transport links.

The PDSR, Cinemas. haha. The lieing cheats only want the cinema to extend the railway station at Paignton - and who can blame them. Its a dump  :D

The bus service at heart isn't bad, with a double decker every 10 minutes from Newton Abbot to Brixham, although the sheer volume of traffic in the area means the buses are slow, often late and very, very expensive! (not forgetting the re-introduction of clapped out buses on the route to SD College!!)

It would be excellent to have a rail link from Torquay - Paignton - Goodrington - Churston - Brixham/-Kingswear although as the line to Brixham has been built over near Churston station itself and also the fact that the site of the station lies at the top of a large hill in Brixham, it is not only easier to get the bus, but comparatively cheaper (believe it or not!). A good step forwards for Torbay's transport system would be to build some dedicated bus lanes running through the heart of Paignton and along the Newton Road. Whilst very difficult, it would probably be a cheaper scheme than rebuilding old bridges, buying land etc etc to build a railway line. At the same time, what spare stock could FGW possible have to extend to Churston at the very least!

Stagecoach is to undertake detailed customer research in the last week of the Torbay ferry trial to get further feedback from commuters (link below.)
http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/press/pr2008/2008-09-15/

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 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.

FGW and SWT empty stock movements to Goodrington CS are on Network Rail metals and NOT PDSR metals.

Another little fact the NR owned and operated level crossing at the south end of Paignton station, for "incident" reasons, the crossing has to be operated separately for PDSR movements and "Main Line" movements.

Yep, I too have read p 622 of the Sectional Appendix and of course you are absolutely correct Smokey.  I have to admit to a little artistic license, but as I said in an earlier post, this was a tongue in cheek reply. 
 :P

Torbay Council bid for ^3million Government funding for a new ferry service across the Bay two years ago, it has been revealed (link below.)
http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/Bay-ferry-service-idea-new/article-365579-detail/article.html

But the application failed and the town hall has insisted the process was well before Stagecoach unveiled their plans for their new fast ferry service between Torquay and Brixham.

The national boss of Stagecoach has hailed its fast ferry service across the Bay a huge success with almost 30,000 passengers carried in a month (link below.)
http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/news/30-000-used-fast-ferry/article-387993-detail/article.html

But existing ferry operators claimed the new catamaran will blow them out the water and lead to a loss of jobs.

Final figures for the four-week trial last month show 29,800 people travelled on the new ferry between Torquay and Brixham. Some businesses reported dramatic increases in sales and footfall during the trial.

Following the pilot scheme Brian Souter, chief executive of the Stagecoach Group, said their results showed people in the area had 'embraced' the new transport link and said further partnership working was needed to see it become permanent.

Torbay Council has reiterated they will not be providing the funding for any new ferry service.

I understand it was very successful, perhaps helped by the knockdown fares on offer and every bus stop plastered in adverts (even in Paignton which is not served by the ferry)

The current bus journey from Torquay Strand - Brixham is ridiculous. If there is a gap in the service you can pretty much guarantee the bus will be packed (every 10 mins!!) and will stop to pick up people at every single stop until Paignton. I've often been sat on the 12 to be overtaken by the 12 behind. Very annoying!!