Devon County Council Tendered services

It looks like most of the end of August changes have now come through so last week we just have a few notices from Dartline with a few of their services now being operated by other operators under Devon County Council tendering.

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes	Operator
PH0005305.118	348	Tiverton Bus Station, Tiverton	Tiverton Bus Station, Tiverton	30-Aug-2026	Service withdrawn. Passengers from the Lea Road, Cowley Moor Road and Pinnex Moor Road areas will be served every 30 minutes by extended service 55 providing a direct bus to Tiverton and Exeter (via Morrisons/Hospital). Passengers from the Queensway, Lime Road, Holly Road, Elmore Way and Siddals Gardens areas will be served every hour by a revised service 343 into Tiverton.	DEALTOP LIMITED
PH0005305.116	349	Tiverton Bus Station, Tiverton	Tiverton Bus Station, Tiverton	30-Aug-2026	Service withdrawn. Passengers from the Lea Road, Cowley Moor Road and Pinnex Moor Road areas will be served every 30 minutes by extended service 55 providing a direct bus to Tiverton and Exeter (via Morrisons/Hospital). Passengers from the Queensway, Lime Road, Holly Road, Elmore Way and Siddals Gardens areas will be served every hour by a revised service 343 into Tiverton.	DEALTOP LIMITED
PH0005305.120	352	Tiverton Bus Station, Tiverton	Tiverton Bus Station, Tiverton	30-Aug-2026	cancellation. Replacement operated by Redwoods with minor changes to timetable to accommodate a driver lunch break	DEALTOP LIMITED
PH0005305.121	353	Tiverton Bus Station, Tiverton	Tiverton Bus Station, Tiverton	30-Aug-2026	cancellation. Replacement operated by Redwoods with minor changes to timetable to accommodate a driver lunch break	DEALTOP LIMITED
PH0005305.117	369	The Mitre Inn, Witheridge	Sidwell Street stop 40, Exeter	30-Aug-2026	Amended route, certain journeys operating via Kennerleigh and Black Dog to replace service 679 (Was regsistred as Cancelled originally - this registration has replaced it)	DEALTOP LIMITED

Speaking of the tenders...

Bus changes have reduced the time passengers from local villages can spend in Barnstaple to less than two hours making it unfeasible for many who have used the service as a lifeline. Users of the local authority funded 372 Stagecoach bus service, which runs once a day on Mondays and Fridays between Bradworthy and Barnstaple ( also serving Buckland Brewer, Putford, Parkham and Littleham), are calling on Devon County Council to reconsider the changes which will come into effect on August 30.

The county council said few people travelled on the service and reducing its time in Barnstaple would allow the bus to operate a school service afterwards, making the 372 viable. But passengers are angry including regular user Margaret Millman who has written a letter to council bosses.

“A significant number of passengers have no access to private transport and rely on the bus for essential food shopping, attending GP and hospital appointments, collecting prescriptions, banking and accessing other services that are not available locally,” she said.

“Because the route travels along narrow single-track country roads and then encounters heavy traffic on entering Barnstaple, the bus occasionally arrives later than scheduled. This is outside the control of both passengers and the driver.

“Reducing the time available in Barnstaple is unreasonable and will make it much more difficult for passengers to complete essential tasks before the return journey. The new timetable shows little consideration for the needs of those who depend on this service.

Service 372 is also losing its college day only journeys between Bradworthy and North Devon College due to low demand.

“It’s like the authorities are saying tough luck! Do they want people to just sit in their houses and rot away?”

Under the new timetable travellers on the 372 will have one hour and 54 mins in Barnstaple (that is without late departures and arrivals and traffic issues. The bus will get in at 10.51am and leave at 12.45am.

The current arrival time for the bus is 11:15am and it departs Barnstaple Bus Station at 1.50pm.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “Changes to Service 372 are being made to ensure the route remains financially viable and can continue to operate.

“Service 372 is funded by Devon County Council and operates between Bradworthy and Barnstaple on Mondays and Fridays. On average, fewer than four passengers per day use the service to travel to Barnstaple.

“Reducing the time slightly in Barnstaple will allow the bus to operate a school service after operating service 372, which reduces the cost of operating the service. Without this change, the service would no longer be sustainable.

“The college day only journeys on service 372 are being withdrawn, as usage averaged fewer than one person per day.”

Torridge and Tavistock Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Cox is understood to be in ongoing communication with Stagecoach regarding local bus services and the difficulties faced by rural communities in accessing reliable public transport.

Full story Devon Live

Where does my bus stop on Royal parade from 31st August?

From Sunday 30 August 2026, bus stopping arrangements will change on the north side of Royal Parade (stops A9 to A24). These changes allow all bus services to return to Royal Parade. 

Some services will also serve stops at:

Exeter Street Viaduct

Charles Street

There are no changes to the south side of Royal Parade (stops A1 to A7).

•  Stop A9

3 Kingsbridge via Modbury

20 Ivybridge

20A Ivybridge via Plympton

38 Exeter via Buckfastleigh

80 Paignton via Totnes

• Stop A10

1A Sherford via Plymstock

19 Plympton via Plymstock

• Stop A11

2 Mount Batten via Plymstock

48 Wembury via Plymstock

• Stop A12

5 Elburton via Plymstock

5A Elburton via Plymstock

• Stop A13

8 Efford via Laira

9 Efford via Laira

• Stop A14

4 Plympton via Plymstock

4A Hooe via Plymstock

4B Elburton via Plymstock

49 Heybrook Bay via Down Thomas

54 Bovisand (Summer only)

59 George Junction P&R via Sparkwell, Cornwood, Shaugh Prior

91 Totnes via Plymstock (Friday only)

94 Noss Mayo via Yealmpton, Newton Ferrers

• Stop A15

25 Barbican & The Hoe

• Stop A16

27 Derriford Hospital via Lower Compton, Mainstone

28 George Junction P&R via Mannamead, Eggbuckland

35 Ham via Mutley, Pennycross

35A Ham via Mutley, Beacon Park

• Stop A17

61 Transit Way via Milehouse P&R, Honicknowle, Brake Farm

200 Coypool Park and Ride

• Stop A18

41 Southway via Peverell, Crownhill

44 Whitleigh via Mutley, Crownhill

• Stop A19

42B Roborough via Mutley, Crownhill, Derriford

42C Woolwell via Mutley, Crownhill, Derriford

• Stop A20

42 Southway via Mutley, Crownhill, Derriford

42A Tamerton Foliot via Derriford, Southway

42D Tamerton Foliot via Crownhill, Derriford

• Stop A21

1 Tavistock via Crownhill, Derriford, Yelverton

1A George Junction P&R via Crownhill, Derriford

• Stop A22

30 Hartley Vale via Mutley, Mannamead

31 Hartley Vale via Mutley, Mannamead

51 Derriford Hospital via Leigham, Estover

• Stop A23

21 Steer Park via Marsh Mills, Chaddlewood

21A Steer Park via Marsh Mills, St Maurice

• Stop A24

23 Mount Gould

24 Mount Gould

• Exeter Street Viaduct

B1 20, 38, 80, 200

B2 1A, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 19, 48, 49, 54, 59, 91, 94

B3 8, 9, 20A, 27, 28, 35, 35A, 61

• Charles Street

C1 1, 1A

C2 42, 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D

C3 30, 31, 41, 44

• Mayflower Street

Services 8, 9, 27, 28, 30, 31, 35 and 35A will continue to operate via Mayflower Street. These services can only pick up passengers travelling to the Community Diagnostic Centre and Royal Parade

If you are travelling beyond Royal Parade, use the relevant stop on: Royal Parade, Exeter Street Viaduct, or Charles Street

Just to make it easier I have a map of the bus stops as I never know their numbers!

Sadly I cant promise Royal Parade will look quite as magnificent as it did in this image from the brilliant Plymouth Cyberheritage collection:

   

Free Travel for Plymouth September Weekends

After helping families save money with free bus travel for children throughout August, Plymouth is taking things one step further this September, with FREE bus travel for everyone on weekends throughout the month. As part of a major initiative from the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership, residents and visitors will be able to hop on board and travel free on participating local bus services on every Saturday and Sunday in September. 

The free travel offer applies to all journeys starting within Plymouth on: 

• Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September 

• Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 

• Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 

• Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 

Whether you're planning a family day out, heading into the city centre, going to work, meeting friends, exploring a new part of Plymouth or simply curious about what bus travel is like these days, September is the perfect opportunity to jump on board. For people who've never used the bus before, the message is simple: Give the bus a go at no cost! No reason not to try. And for those who haven't travelled by bus in a while: Rediscover the bus and see what's changed. 

The initiative is being funded through Government bus improvement funding and delivered in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Citybus, Stagecoach South West and Tally Ho.

Councillor John Stephens, Plymouth City Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: "August has been all about helping families get out and about with free travel for children, and now we're inviting everyone to experience what Plymouth's bus network has to offer. 

"This is a fantastic opportunity to leave the car at home, save money and explore everything our city has to offer without spending a penny on travel. 

"Whether you're a regular bus user, someone who hasn't caught a bus in years, or somebody who's never tried it before, we'd encourage you to take advantage of the free weekends and give the bus a go. 

"We're working hard with our bus operators to make public transport an easy, affordable and attractive choice and we hope these free travel weekends will encourage even more people to discover just how convenient travelling by bus can be." 

 

The initiative also coincides with Catch the Bus Month, a national celebration of bus travel, and local partners will be heading into the city centre on Saturday 12 September to meet residents, answer questions and hear people's views on bus services in Plymouth. 

Anyone who is thinking about using the bus more often, has not travelled by bus for some time, or simply wants to find out more, is encouraged to come along to the Armada Way Piazza from 10am - 4pm and chat to the team. 

Peter Knight, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, added: “September’s free travel weekends are a fantastic opportunity for people across Plymouth to get on board and experience the bus for themselves, whether they’re regular customers or haven’t travelled by bus for some time. 

“By removing the cost of travel at weekends, we’re making it easier than ever for families, students, commuters and visitors to explore Plymouth, enjoy everything the city has to offer and perhaps discover a new way to get around. We’re proud to be working alongside Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Citybus and Tally Ho to deliver this initiative, and we hope as many people as possible will take advantage of the offer and give the bus a go.” 

So whether you're a fresher discovering your new city, a family looking for a low-cost day out, a shopper wanting to avoid parking charges or someone trying to cut their carbon footprint, there's never been a better time to get on board. 

For more information about participating services and the free travel offer, go to:  www.plymouth.gov.uk/ride-free-plymouth (web page will be live from 1 September)

Free travel is available on participating Plymouth Citybus, Stagecoach South West and Tally Ho services where journeys start within the Plymouth city boundary. Exclusions apply, including Plymouth Citybus Argyle football specials and the Stagecoach Falcon coach service 

Is this a good idea?

I must admit I am in two minds on this. For many people this will be great, but will it really get more people using the buses regularly in the future that are not already regular users? If this is well publicised then the buses could end up being very full. So new passengers will find their buses may be free but are rammed full and very uncomfortable so wont bother again. Even worse, for those passengers' who do use and rely on the buses on Saturday / Sunday to get to work, will they now find their bus is full up and they cant get to work? buses are often less frequent on weekends so if your bus goes past because its full up you will have a fair old wait, and no guarantee that wont also be full?  What do people think? Am I being too pessimistic?  

Next Weekend and more

Service registrations are still rolling in quickly, though hopefully most are now in place for the end of August when Stagecoach has a huge set of changes planned. This past week also brought a small batch of Go Cornwall timetable updates effective from 1st September, though details are scarce, with most simply listed as “Winter timetable.” There have also been quite a few older “event” registrations expiring over the past few months.

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes	Operator
PH1020951.594	1A	George Park & Ride	Sherford	30-Aug-2026	Intermediate running times are revised , with timetables as per Tender Submission. Sunday timetable amended to Include trips to Derriford. Splits service 1A into own licence	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.038	4	Exeter St Davids Station	Cranbrook	30-Aug-2026	There are some minor changes to the timetable across all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality.  There will be a change to the route of Service 4 between the City Centre and University of Exeter.  From the City Centre, buses will operate directly to University of Exeter, before continuing to Exeter St Davids, where the service will terminate.  Journeys towards Cranbrook will start from Exeter St Davids and then operate via University of Exeter, before continuing towards the City Centre and onwards to Cranbrook.  The change of route will provide faster and more direct journeys to University of Exeter and buses will no longer have to wait time around the university loop.  Saturday overnight journeys between the City Centre and Cranbrook will be extended to and from University	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0000135.414	6	Penzance	Mousehole	01-Sep-2026	Winter timetable	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.164	10	Plymouth	Polperro	01-Sep-2026	Winter timetable	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.227	21 21A	Newquay	St Austell	01-Sep-2026	Winter timetable	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.230	24 24A 24S	Fowey	St Austell	01-Sep-2026	Service 24B withdrawn	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH1020951.582	27	Paignton Bus Station	The Willows / Cuthbert Mayne School	30-Aug-2026	Following working in partnership with Torbay Council, a new Service 27 will be introduced, which provides a partial replacement for withdrawn school services, as well as providing a number of new links requested by the local community. Service 27 will operate every 90 minutes Monday to Friday daytime between Paignton Bus Station and The Willows via Preston Down Road, Shiphay Lane and Torbay Hospital, with one morning and one afternoon journey serving Cuthbert Mayne School (these journeys will not serve The Willows). Service 27 will see a direct service between Paignton Bus Station and Torbay Hospital reinstated, avoiding the need to walk from the main road to access the hospital grounds.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0000135.385	29	Mevagissey	St Austell	01-Sep-2026	Winter timetable	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.246	56	Padstow	Newquay	01-Sep-2026	Winter timetable	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.337	92 92S, 92A, 92B	Newquay	St Columb Major	01-Sep-2026	Winter timetable	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.255	93,91, 93E, 93A, 93T	Truro	Newquay	01-Sep-2026	Winter timetable	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH1020951.588	100	Royal Parade	The George Park and Ride	12-Aug-2026	Shuttle for Plymouth Fireworks. EVENT REGISTRATION	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.589	200	Royal Parade	Coypool Park and Ride	12-Aug-2026	Shuttle for Plymouth Firework EVENT REGISTRATION	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.585	366	Exeter	Kenn	30-Aug-2026	Stagecoach will take over operation of Service 366 from 30 August following a Devon County Council tender. There will be no route or timetable changes. The service 366 will continue to provide a Monday to Saturday journey from Kenn to Exeter at 0935, with a return from Exeter to Kenn at 1315.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1037931.020	382	Sidmouth	Whimple	01-Sep-2026	First journey into Sidmouth will now operate 5 minutes earlier	HATCH GREEN GARAGE LTD
PH1020951.595	398	Tiverton Bus Station	Dulverton	30-Aug-2026	NEW REG: Now operated by Stagecoach with minor amendments to timetable (Previously Dartline)	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.586	M	Exeter City Centre	Mount Dinham	30-Aug-2026	Stagecoach will take over operation of Service M from 30 August following a Devon County Council tender. There will be no changes to the route or timetable. The service will continue to provide two round trips per day, Monday to Saturday, between the City Centre and Mount Dinham.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0000135.420	N1	Newquay	Quintrell Downs	23-May-2026	Night Bus. New Service Will run over the same period each year	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.421	N2	Newquay	Perranporth	23-May-2026	New Service Will also run in the period in subsequent years	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH1020951.593	PR1	Exeter Paris Street	Sowton Park & Ride	30-Aug-2026	A new Service PR1 will be introduced providing a dedicated park and ride service between Sowton Park and Ride and the City Centre. Service PR1 will operate every 15 minutes Monday to Friday and Saturday between approximately 0700 and 1900. Towards the City Centre, Service PR1 will start at Sowton Park and Ride and set down at Middlemoor, Nelson Way, Heavitree Shops and Paris Street. Towards Sowton Park and Ride, Service PR1 will start at Paris Street and pick up at Sidwell Street, Cheeke Street, Heavitree Road, Fore Street, East Wonford Hill, Sidmouth Road, Middlemoor and Sidmouth Road. Service PR1 will operate under contract to Devon County Council and provide an alternative to Service C, which will be withdrawn.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.590	S1	Bideford	North Devon Showground	05-Aug-2026	North Devon Show. EVENT REGISTRATION	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.591	S2	Barnstaple	North Devon Showground	05-Aug-2026	North Devon Show. EVENT REGISTRATION	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.592	S3	South Molton	North Devon Showground	05-Aug-2026	North Devon Show. EVENT REGISTRATION	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.587	U	Exeter City Centre	Union Road	30-Aug-2026	Following a recent tender round by Devon County Council, Stagecoach will take over operation of Service U from 30 August 2026. There will be no changes to the route or timetable. The service will continue to provide three round trips per day, Monday to Saturday, between the City Centre and Union Road.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH2023951.009	X	Royal Oak, Main Road, Exminster	South Street, Exeter	01-Sep-2026	Monday to Saturday except public holidays	GREENSLADES TOURS (EXETER) LTD