You’re never too old to ‘hop up top’ with the ‘Golden Hop’

Stagecoach has announced the last day of the ‘Golden Hop’ open top service will be 28 October, the end of autumn half term week. After this date, it will cease for the winter before returning in spring 2018.

Since launching in April, the service has established itself as a popular addition to the Bay’s tourism offering. For the last six months the buses, each featuring their very own ‘Bus Hopper’ animal character, have run up to every 20 minutes, 7 days a week, between St Marychurch, Torquay, Paignton and Paignton Zoo.

Customers now have just six weeks left to enjoy a unique sightseeing experience and hop on and off as often as they like to visit destinations and attractions along the route. Younger passengers can use their free ‘Hop Adventurers’ passport to collect stickers from a number of locations whilst adults can simply enjoy the views. Hop Adventurer story books are also on sale from Paignton Travelshop for just £3 each with a donation from each going to local charity Torbay Holiday Helpers Network.

After the service has ceased for the season, fans both young and old can carry on the adventure by signing up to the Golden Hop mailing list and receive exclusive Bus Hopper stories. Everyone who signs up by midnight on 31 October will be entered to a draw to win a two night stay at Torquay’s Haytor Hotel, an award winning boutique hotel just 400m from Torquay Harbour. The winner will also receive a complete set of Hop Adventurer story books and ‘fuzzy bug’ characters. Ten runners up will also receive a set of ‘fuzzy bugs’.

Stagecoach South West Marketing Manager Helen Scholes commented: “We have been overwhelmed with just how popular our Golden Hop service has been. Everyone – adults and kids alike - has their favourite Bus Hopper.

“Even though our open tops will be taking a well-earned rest over the winter, The English Riviera is still a great place to visit - in fact, it was recently voted the UK’s No.1 ‘holiday hotspot’* by the Daily Mirror. I hope our Bus Hopper fans will sign up for a chance to win a short break in our beautiful Bay.”

To enter, simply visit the Stagecoach website (http://stge.co/mbdQ30f7Mgl) and sign up to the mailing list by midnight on 31 October.

*www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/british-breaks/best-cheap-british-holi...