On 23rd November trials began on the new Brixham Express Torquay-Brixham service. The first passengers boarded the temporary ferry Pride of Exmouth, usually based at her namesake resort, ahead of the planned arrival of a new catamaran for the commuter service. The £1.5 million custom-built 100- seater craft, under construction in Donegal, will not be ready until mid-December and the usual crossing time is scheduled to be 15 minutes.

Until it is in operation, Brixham Express has chartered the Pride of Exmouth with a crossing time of 30 minutes. The Pride of Exmouth was not available for weekend services in December due to prior engagements and around 25 passengers were aboard the very first trip. The new craft will carry 40 passengers in winter mode and 100 in summer. When the catamaran requires planned maintenance, another vessel will be chartered.

In the event of unforeseen maintenance being required, a replacement bus service will operate. Single tickets are £5 each and a return is £6. Bad weather closed the service on 25th November, something the operators will surely have to get used to. Stagecoach operated a trial Bayfast service in September 2008 using Red Funnel’s Red Jet 1 but funding for a full service never materialised.