Trial for catamaran ferry service

The four-mile (6km) ferry crossing will take about 15 minutes

A new fast ferry service is to be introduced in Devon.

The 138-seat catamaran will carry passengers between Torquay and Brixham for a month to test the potential for a permanent link.

The Bayfast service, which will cost £200,000, will provide up to 15 return trips on weekdays, with services also operating at the weekend.

It will be run by Stagecoach, along with Torbay Council, and the trial will operate from 29 August to 29 September.

'Underused resource'

The only public transport link between the towns is a bus service which normally takes 42 minutes, but can take up to 90 minutes during the summer tourist season.

The 4-mile (6km) ferry crossing should take about 15 minutes.

Torbay Mayor Nick Bye said: "It makes sense to go by sea, saving time, reducing congestion and avoiding all the hassles of parking.

"I am sure that it will also provide a real boost to both towns' economies."

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group's chief executive, said the ferry would provide a boost for commuters and tourists and was a faster, greener, smarter travel option than the car.

"Britain's waterways and estuaries are an underused resource and the trial will help us test the potential long-term demand for a permanent link," he said.

Fares for the ferry service will be £4 a single and £6 for a return trip.

There will also be concessions for senior citizens and children. Dayrider bus ticket holders will be charged a £2 supplement.

If the trial is successful, a permanent service could potentially be introduced as early as next year, Stagecoach said.