A fleet of electric (EV) buses are now connecting communities in south-east Cornwall bringing cleaner air and quieter journeys.
Run by Go Cornwall Bus, the six new buses cover Route 70 on the Rame Peninsula, connecting villages including Torpoint, Millbrook and Cawsand. They form part of Cornwall’s supported bus network – services subsidised by the council to protect essential links for rural communities.
As part of the project, ten trees will be planted for each new bus – the 60 new trees will be planted in south-east Cornwall.
The Rame Peninsula’s new fleet are the latest zero-emission buses in Cornwall, following on from the county’s first EV bus which began service in Falmouth in July. And later this year, the entire Truro Park and Ride fleet will go green, with seven new electric buses covering the popular city centre route.
Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council 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.”
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.”
Route 70’s new vehicles have also been designed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Each bus includes space two wheelchair bays, step-free access, dementia-friendly interiors and audio-visual announcements highlighting the next stop and when the bus is coming to a stop.
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."
Funding for the Rame Peninsula service formed part of a wider bid to the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) 2 Fund by Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead group. The Department for Transport awarded £10.34m towards the project, with Plymouth Citybus committing £19.6m, Cornwall Council £1.19m and Plymouth City Council £0.75m.
This funding is delivering 50 new zero emission buses and electric charging infrastructure to 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.”
Cornwall Council successfully bid for £1.3m from the ZEBRA 2 Fund towards the infrastructure and buses for the Truro Park and Ride and Falmouth town service with the council committing a further £1.95m. Bus operator OTS and Falmouth Town Council have also supported the bid to bring an electric bus to the town, committing £105,000 and £5,000 respectively.
Story posted October 3, 2025