We have got used to Stagecoach hoovering up a lot of tendered work over the last few years so a bit of a surprise to see they have lost some work. No mention yet of who has picked up the work though, I am sure it wont be long before we find out…
Tender Changes from 4 January 2026
Following a recent tender round by Devon County Council, a number of services will transfer to new operators from 4 January 2026 and will therefore no longer be operated by Stagecoach South West.
Barnstaple Depot
• Services 660/663S/855/856/859 – South Molton Town Services
Exeter Depot
• Service 6A – Exeter to Okehampton (majority of journeys)
• Service 96 – Exmouth Town Service
• Service 97 – Exmouth Town Service
• Service 173 – Exeter to Chagford and Moretonhampstead
• Service 348/349 – Tiverton Town Service
• Service 352/352 – Tiverton Town Service
• Service 360 – Exeter to Bridford and Christow
• Service 369 – Exeter to Morchard Bishop and Witheridge
Plymouth Depot
• Service 6A/6B – Exeter to Okehampton / Tavistock to Okehampton
While it can be disappointing when services transfer to other operators, these changes will benefit the business in a number of ways.
The loss of these services is no reflection of our delivery of these services, some of which we have operated for a number of years.
As a result of these changes, there will be some changes to duties and rosters at Exeter Depot from 4 January 2026, with minimal changes at Barnstaple and Plymouth Depots.
We will be communicating these changes, as well as a small number of other services changes to our customers over the coming weeks.
Dartline have won the majority of the tenders as surprising as it is
ReplyDeleteMost of these services have been won by Dartline. The 6a/6b operated by Plymouth depot is cancelled altogether and replaced by current 118 service from Tavistock also operated by Stagecoach
ReplyDeleteLargely Datline, with one CountryBus and one MD Buses
ReplyDeleteList on DCC website, Countrybus, Dartline and MD buses have picked it up
ReplyDeleteTravel Devon website already lists the replacement operators for most of these.
ReplyDelete- 96, 97, 360, 348/349, 360 and 369 all go to Dartline with timetables unchanged. The 6A becomes route 66 with a new timetable, operated mostly by Dartline - Stagecoach continues to operate the Sunday service, and college day journeys at 07.30 from Okehampton and 16,35 from Exeter. 6B is withdrawn but 118 provides an alternative between Okehampton and Tavistock.
- 173 goes to Country Bus with unchanged timetable.
- South Molton Town Services go to MD Buses with unchanged timetables.
There are likely to be further timetable changes (without change of operator) from this date.
First are withdrawing all services in Cornwall from Saturday 14th February 2026
ReplyDeleteFirst is pulling out of Cornwall next February, in other news a 67 plate Stagecoach E400 is expected to be converted to open top after sustaining significant damage to to ots upper left front dome & is currently at The Ride
ReplyDeletesounds unlikely for a MMC to be converted when there's no demand for new OTs
Deletewhat bus is that? Only 67 plate i can see is 15306-15324 & 10917/21/22/23/24/28.
DeleteNo it wont be converted. As its a 3rd party fault, it will more than likely go to ADL for repair. Its not extensive enough to warrant being made an open top.
DeleteFirst Cornwall to cease operations https://www.firstbus.co.uk/cornwall/update-our-cornwall-operations?fbclid=IwY2xjawONWeJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETExdE9kVklrdnZiMWZDN0Zzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgp3xI8L_Isuq9xlZWMMKtvqOZHBG0sMwq7AnVNdD0zWJuEI9yjX_F69WhC6_aem_IfODioNNcIWASZxRbFzthA As usual another First company that's been run into the ground! Maybe they need to realise if they keep shutting up shop they won't have a business left.
ReplyDeleteWith dartline winning more bus contracts, will be called Exeter Citybus soon
ReplyDelete