New Citybus open-top around The Hoe

East Lancs-bodied Dennis Trident 361 (V905 FEC) passing the Duke of Cornwall Hotel in Plymouth.
MARK BAILEY

Plymouth Citybus launched a new open-top Waterfront Shuttle on 31 July after 13 years without any open-top services in the city.

An East Lancs Lolyne-bodied Dennis Trident transferred from fellow Go-Ahead subsidiary Oxford Bus Company’s sightseeing service there operates half-hourly Monday to Saturday scenic route 25 (City Centre- Barbican-The Hoe) in blue Britain’s Ocean City livery until 22 September.

The existing year-round circular route taking 24min remains operated by closedtop buses on Sundays. The Bretonside area is currently not served owing to the redevelopment of the former bus and coach station.

£3 adult and £2.30 child all-day hop-on/ hop-off fares supplement normal fares on the commercial route.

The Plymouth Waterfront Partnership says it is an unmissable vehicle the business community has wanted for some time and it hopes the service will be extended next year. Citybus previously ran a similar open-top tour in association with Guide Friday until 2004, using Leyland Atlanteans.