Plymouth to Exeter? Good luck with that

Stagecoach published the full list of timetables that are changing at the beginning of September:

• Exeter Area Changes

Journeys in the later evening are now provided with financial support from Devon County Council on services A, E1/E2and I/J, there are no change to the timetable for these journeys.

Service A (Alphington - City Centre)

The Monday to Saturday daytime frequency of buses is increased from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes. Services A and E1/E2 will now offer 8 buses per hour between the City Centre and St Thomas, with a co-ordinated timetable There are changes to some early morning departure times and passengers should check the new timetable for further details.

Service E1/E2 (Exwick – Beacon Heath / Pinhoe via City Centre)

Following a review of the route of Service E1/E2 around the Farm Hill loop, from 3 September 2023, buses will operate this loop in a clockwise direction.

Service H (Exeter St David’s – Digby)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service. Journeys towards Digby will now operate directly to Tesco, no longer serving Digby Drive, Clyst Halt Avenue and part of Russell Way. Service I will provide a partial replacement (see below).

Service I (City Centre – Digby)

Monday to Saturday journeys on Service I between approximately 0930 and 1600 will additionally serve Digby Drive, Clyst Halt Avenue and part of Russell Way in a one way loop.

Service P (Crossmead – Pennsylvania via City Centre)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service.

Service UNI (Streatham – St Lukes via City Centre)from 18 September 2023

A new term time timetable begins from week commencing 17 September 2023. The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service. The night service will return for the new academic year, operating on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights only.

Service 4 (Exeter St Davids – Cranbrook via City Centre and Honiton Road Park and Ride)

The frequency of buses is increased across the week, with Monday to Friday daytimes enhancing from every 20, to every 12 minutes, providing an additional two journeys an hour.  On Saturday daytime buses are increased from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes, and on Sunday and Public Holiday daytimes buses are doubled from one to two buses every hour.

The daily evening timetable is re-designed, following an increase in demand, to operate approximately every 30 minutes across the full route from Exeter St Davids to Cranbrook. This reinstates direct journeys to and from Exeter St Davids during the evening.

There are minor changes to the frequency of buses during the early morning and a small number of late evening journeys are withdrawn from the timetable.

Between Exeter St Davids and Honiton Road Park and Ride, Services 4 and 4A will provide a combined frequency of up to 7 buses an hour Monday to Friday, six buses an hour on a Saturday and

a 20 minute frequency on a Sunday.

Service 4A (Exeter St Davids – Exeter Airport via City Centre and Honiton Road Park and Ride)

Following a review of the current Service 4A and the award of a tender by Devon County Council, there are changes to the route and timetable of Service 4A.

Service 4A will operate up to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes Sunday and Public Holiday daytime. The route of Service 4A will be amended to provide more direct and quicker journeys to and from Exeter Airport, operating via the A30 and will no longer serve Clyst Honiton.

Service 6 (Okehampton - Bude) and Service 6A (Exeter – Okehampton)

Following a tender process Service 6 will continue to operate between Okehampton and Bude, under contract to Devon County Council. There are some minor changes to the timetable, including the 1510 Monday to Friday departure from Bude, which will additionally serve Budehaven School.

A number of enhancements are introduced between Exeter and Okehampton on Route 6A.

Several journeys will connect with Service 6 at Okehampton allowing customers to board the bus in Exeter and travel straight through to Bude. Additional journeys are also introduced Monday to Saturday, with up to 11 journeys operating between Okehampton and Exeter, reducing time between departures to just one hour in a number of cases.

Stagecoach will replace the current operator on Sunday and Public Holidays, offering an enhanced timetable to customers, providing three journeys in each direction across the entire route.

Service 9/9A (Exeter – Honiton / Seaton)

Additional and later last journeys will operate Monday to Saturday evenings at 2210 from Sidmouth to Honiton and at 2130 from Honiton to Sidmouth which will connect with rail services at Honiton Railway Station.

Service 44/44A (Exeter – Honiton / Axminster)

Additional and later last journeys will operate Monday to Saturday evenings at 2030 from Exeter to Honiton and at 2245 from Honiton to Exeter.

Service 55 (Exeter – Tiverton)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service, including improved connections with Service 346 at Tiverton Bus Station.

Service 57 (Exeter – Brixington via Topsham and Exmouth)

Following passenger feedback, extra journeys will be provided at peak times Monday to Friday towards Exeter, plus an additional and earlier first journey on Sunday and Public Holidays from Brixington to Exeter at 0750, providing an arrival into Exeter before 0900.

Service 58A (Exeter St Davids – Exmouth)

Following the award of a tender from Devon County Council, a new Service 58A will be introduced, operating between Exmouth and Exeter St Davids, providing new and direct peak time journey opportunities for commuters and students. Buses will operate via Brixington, Woodbury, Exeter Airport, Exeter College Technology Centre and Whipton Shops.

Service 95 (Exmouth – Sandy Bay)

Following the end of the peak summer season, the frequency of Service 95 will be reduced to hourly 7 days a week and will operate until the end of October half-term, when a further reduced timetable will be introduced.

Service 97 (Masey Road – Exmouth Town Centre – The Marles)

There are minor changes to the timetable to improve punctuality of the service.

Service 173 (Exeter – Moretonhampstead via Tedburn St Mary and Chagford)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service. The 1823 Monday to Saturday journey from Chagford will now operate the standard route and additionally serve Heath Cross, Whitestone and Nadderwater, with the arrival time into Exeter becoming slightly later.

Service 222 (Dawlish Warren – Teignmouth)

Service will be withdrawn for end of the 2023 season.

Following a recent tender award, Stagecoach will take over operation of the Tiverton town network from another operator, with only minor changes to the current timetables The local network includes:

Service 343 (Tiverton – Cotteylands – Tiverton)

Service 348/349 (Tiverton – Cowley Moor – Higher Moor – Tiverton)

Service 352/353 (Tiverton – Tidcombe)

Service 355 (Exeter - Tiverton)

Monday to Saturday journeys at 0730 from Exeter and 1745 from Tiverton, currently provided by another operator, will be operated by Stagecoach as Service 355.

• North Devon Areas

Barnstaple Town Services

Services 10/10A (Barnstaple Town Service – Gorwell Circular), 11A/11C (Barnstaple Town Service – Whiddon Valley), 29 (Barnstaple Town Service – Bradiford, North Devon District Hospital, Bishops Tawton) and 62A/62C (Barnstaple Town Service – Tower View and Woodville)

Timetables are revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the services. Additional journeys will operate Monday to Saturday daytime on Service 11A/C between approximately 0930 and 1730 to provide a combined 20 minute frequency to and from Whiddon Valley and double the number of buses in Forches.

Service 15/15A (Barnstaple to East the Water Circular)

Following a review of services within Bideford there are a number of significant changes to the timetables of Services 15A/15C and 75. The current 15A/15C will be replaced by new 15/15A service.

The new 15/15A will provide new direct links across Bideford between East-the-Water and Affinity Outlet, with each service operating every 60 minutes to provide a combined improved frequency of up to every 30 minutes on Monday to Saturday daytimes.

Working in partnership with Devon County Council, a brand new Sunday and Public Holiday timetable will be introduced, provided three journeys on each service during core retail hours.

These changes replace sections of route that are currently served by Service 75.

Service 19 (North Devon District Hospital to Roundswell via Town Centre)

There are some minor changes to the Monday to Friday timetable.

A consistent 30 minute Monday to Friday frequency is offered throughout the day filling the current gap in buses around lunchtime. The frequency of buses during the main part of the day on Saturday will be doubled from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes, providing an additional journey opportunity each hour.

Service 21/21A (Ilfracombe to Westward Ho! / Appledore via Barnstaple and Bideford)

Service 21C (Barnstaple to Croyde Bay / Georgeham via Braunton)

Following the end of the peak summer season, there will be a number of seasonal adjustments to the timetable of Service 21/21A/21C.

During the main part of the day Monday to Saturday, Service 21/21A will serve Ilfracombe every 30 minutes, Barnstaple to Bideford every 15 minutes and Westward Ho! and Appledore every 60 minutes.

Service 21C will operate every 60 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime between Barnstaple and Croyde Bay, with the majority of journeys extending to and from Georgeham. A number of journeys will be operated with financial support from Devon County Council. The Sunday and Public Holiday timetable will be paused until the start of the summer season in 2024.

Service 31 (Ilfracombe to Woolacombe – Mortehoe Circular)

This seasonal service operates until 17 September 2023.

Service 75 (Londonderry Farm to Great Torrington via Bideford)

Following a review of demand for Service 75, significant changes will be made to the route and timetable. The route will be curtailed to operate between Great Torrington and Bideford Quay only via Dartington Fields and Burwood Estate. Passengers requiring travel within Bideford and for sections of route no longer served by Service 75, should refer to the changes to Service 15/15A for further details.

Service 75 will continue to operate an hourly Monday to Saturday timetable. Departure times are also revised to provide a more even spread of journey opportunities between Great Torrington and Bideford with Services 5B, 75 and 317. The small number of journeys that currently extend from Bideford to Barnstaple will no longer operate.

Working in partnership with Devon County Council, a new Sunday and Public Holiday timetable will be introduced, providing four journeys across the main part of the day.

Service 155 (Barnstaple to South Molton)

There are a number of minor changes to afternoon departures from Barnstaple.

The  1715 Monday to Friday journey from Barnstaple to North Molton will be replaced by the 1645 College Days trip from Roundswell to South Molton which will depart High Wall at 1650 and continue to North Molton.  The 1625 Monday to Friday College Holidays journey from Barnstaple to South Molton will now additionally operate on College Days.

Saturday morning and early evening journeys will no longer serve North Molton and will now operate the standard route to and from Mill on the Mole.

Working in partnership with Devon County Council, a new Sunday and Public Holiday timetable will be introduced, providing four journeys in each direction during the main part of the day.

Service 317 (Bideford to Okehampton)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service.

Service 319 (Barnstaple to Hartland via Bideford, Ford, Woolsery and Clovelly)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service.

Additional Monday to Saturday journeys will operate at 0603 from Barnstaple to Hartland, and 1845 from Hartland to Barnstaple, ensuring a connection from Service 219 from Bude to Hartland, arriving at 1819.

Service 372 (Barnstaple to Bradworthy / Holsworthy via Bideford and Littleham)

Following a tender award by Devon County Council, there will be some enhancements to the timetable of Service 372, with four additional journeys operating Monday to Friday, including the extension of some journeys to and from Holsworthy.

Service 646 (Holsworthy to Ashwater)

Following a tender award by Devon County Council, a new Service 646 will be introduced between Holsworthy and Ashwater via Clawton.

Service 646 will provide two journeys in each direction Monday to Friday.

• Plymouth Area

Service 1 (Plymouth to Tavistock via Derriford Hospital and George Park and Ride)

Service 1A (Sherford to George Park and Ride via City Centre and Derriford Hospital)

Service 1S (George Park and Ride to Tavistock School)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service.

The frequency of buses on service 1A between Sherford and City Centre in the evenings Monday to Saturday and on Sunday and Public Holiday daytimes, is doubled from every 60 to every 30 minutes.

Following an increase in demand for scholars travelling to and from Tavistock School, a new Service 1S will be introduced on Schooldays only. Buses will operate via the Service 1 route, additionally serving bus stops in Horrabridge. Service will depart George Park and Ride at 0735 to Tavistock School, and Tavistock School at 1520.

Service X1 (Plymouth / DHS Schools to Tavistock)

The timetable is revised to improve punctuality of the service.

Service 2 (Saltash to Mount Batten via City Centre)

Service 2A (Saltash to City Centre)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service. Along the common section of route, the revised timetable will offer a better coordination of departures between Services 2 and 2A.

There is a slight reduction to the number of journeys on Service 2A on Saturday mornings and daily evening journeys after approximately 1900 will be withdrawn due to low passenger demand. Service 2 will continue to operate every 60 minutes throughout the evening.

Service X38 (Plymouth to Exeter via Buckfastleigh)

Service 38 (Exeter – Bovey Tracey – Ivybridge)

Following a review of current Services X38 and 39, these services will be replaced by a brand new Service 38, as well as a revised Service 39.

Service 38 will operate hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes between Exeter and Bovey Tracey, via the current Service 39 route. On Sunday and Public Holidays, there will be 7 journeys in each direction between Exeter and Bovey Tracey, with three journeys in each direction between Bovey Tracey and Ivybridge.

Every two hours Monday to Saturday daytime, a journey will continue beyond Bovey Tracey to Ivybridge via Drumbridges, Liverton, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and South Brent and beyond Bovey Tracey to Newton Abbot, as a revised Service 39 with a guaranteed connection.

Service 52 (Plympton to Derriford Hospital)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service.

Service 86 (Tavistock to Whitchurch)brand new service

A new Service 86 will be introduced, to provide a partial replacement in relation to changes to Service 89, which will no longer serve Whitchurch.

Service 86 will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime with departures from Tavistock Bus Station between 0925 and 1355, with a further departure at 1655.

Service 86 links Tavistock Town Centre with Whitchurch via Morrisons.

Service 87/87A (Tavistock via Bere Ferrers and Bere Alston) additional capacity at school times

Following an increase in demand for scholars travelling to and from Tavistock School, additional journeys will operate on Schooldays only. Service 87A will operate at 0757 from Bere Alston Railway Station to Tavistock School and at 1522 on Service 87 from Tavistock School to Bere Alston Railway Station.

Service 89 (Tavistock to Bishopsmead)

Service 89 will operate from Tavistock Bus Station and provide links to the new housing developments in Tavistock, The Tors and Embden Grange while still serving Courtlands and journeys between approximately 0900 and 1400 additionally serving Morrisons.  The new timetable will operate Monday to Saturday at least hourly between approximately 0700 and 1900.

Service 89 will no longer serve Whitchurch, however, new Service 86 will provide a service to and from Whitchurch.

Service 198 (Gunnislake to Princetown)

This seasonal service operates up to and including 24 September 2023.

Service 200 (City Centre to Coypool Park and Ride)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service.

Service GOLD (Plymouth to Paignton via Totnes)

The timetable is revised on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the service.

A small number of additional journeys will operate, and on schooldays, one AM and one PM journey will additionally serve Ivybridge Community College, replacing current journeys on Service X38.

• Torbay and South Devon Areas

Service 2 (Exeter – Newton Abbot via Dawlish)

0625 and 0655 Monday to Friday departures from Newton Abbot to Exeter are advanced to 0615 and 0645 respectively, which is designed to improve reliability and punctuality.

Service 3 (Plymouth to Kingsbridge) and Service 93 (Dartmouth to Kingsbridge)

Following the award of a tender by Devon County Council, a new timetable will be introduced with revised departure times on all days of operation to improve punctuality of the services.

An additional later and last journey will operate Monday to Saturday on Service 93 from Dartmouth to Kingsbridge at 1845.

Guaranteed connections will be offered for passengers travelling beyond Kingsbridge in either direction allowing customers to remain on the vehicle, with reduced waiting times in Kingsbridge.

Service 7 (Exeter – Totnes via Newton Abbot)

In connection with changes to Service 92, a number of additional or amended journeys will operate.

0741 Monday to Friday from Newton Abbot to Totnes.

0815 Saturday from Newton Abbot to Totnes.

1830 Monday to Friday from Newton Abbot to Matford Park and Ride.

1830 Monday to Saturday from Exeter to Newton Abbot is retarded to 1845 and extended through to Totnes.

1915 Monday to Saturday from Totnes to Newton Abbot will be extended to Matford Park and Ride.

1940 Monday to Saturday from Totnes to Matford Park and Ride.

2040 Monday to Saturday from Totnes to Newton Abbot.

2140 Monday to Saturday from Totnes to Newton Abbot.

Most journeys will continue from Totnes to Dartmouth as service 92.

Service 12 (Newton Abbot – Brixham via Torquay and Paignton)

There are some minor changes to Monday to Friday late afternoon journeys.

Service 13/13C/13D (Torbay Hospital – Brixham)

Service 13/13C/13D will additionally serve the bus stop at Aldi on Wilkins Drive in both directions.

Service 18 (Brixham – Kingswear)

0753 Monday to Saturday journey from Kingswear to Brixham will be delayed to 0810 to accommodate passenger requests and school movements.

Service 22 (Dawlish Warren – South Devon College via St Marychurch and Paignton)

Minor timetable changes are introduced.

Service 23 (Paignton – South Devon College)

To help improve the reliability and punctuality of the service, the route will be amended to operate a one-way loop from Goodrington Road via Kingsway Avenue, White Rock Way, Waddeton Road, Long Road, South Devon College and Long Road to Goodrington Road.

Service 39 (Bovey Tracey – Newton Abbot)

Following a review of current Services X38 and 39, these services will be replaced by a new Service 38, as well a revised Service 39.

Service 39 will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Friday daytime and every 60 minutes Saturday daytime between Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot, following the same route as current Service 39.

There will be four journeys in each direction on Service 39 on Sunday and Public Holidays.

Every two hours, a Service 39 journey will continue beyond Bovey Tracey to Exeter as new Service 38, with a guaranteed connection.

Service 41 (Chudleigh – Totnes)

Due to low passenger the journey offered by Service 41 during South Devon College term time will be withdrawn, however, Services 7, 13D and 39 will provide alternative journey opportunities.

Service 88/88A/88C (Newton Abbot – Totnes)

Following a recent tender award, this service will no longer be operated by Stagecoach and will move to Country Bus with a revised timetable from 3 September 2023.

Service 90 (Dartmouth to Townstal)

Due to low passenger demand, Monday to Saturday journeys prior to 0830 will be withdrawn.

The 2330 Monday to Saturday journey from Dartmouth Pontoon to Carey Road will continue to the Park and Ride site. The Sunday and Public Holiday timetable, will be simplified with buses follow the standard route.

Service 92 (Dartmouth to Totnes)

The timetable is enhanced significantly with the frequency of buses doubled to every hour for much of the day Monday to Saturday. A number of additional early evening journeys will also be introduced, providing later journey opportunities in both directions.

Services 7 and 92 will provide an hourly frequency from Exeter to Dartmouth via Newton Abbot, with a guaranteed connection in Totnes.  The vast majority of journeys are designed to connect in and out of Service 7 at Totnes.

Service 122 (Babbacombe – Devon Bay via Torquay and Paignton)

Following the end of the peak summer season, the frequency of Service 122 will be reduced to hourly and will operate until Saturday 28 October 2023, which coincides with the end of October half-term, when the service will then end for the 2023 season.

• New South Devon College Services from 11 September 2023

Several new services will commence operation on behalf of South Devon College during College term times only.

Service SD1 - South Devon College – Princess Yachts: A 0700 departure from Coypool Park and Ride (for Princess Yachts) to South Devon College, with a return journey at 1600.

Service SD2 - South Devon College – NOSS: A 0800 departure from South Devon College to NOSS on Dart Marina, with a return journey at 1530.

Service SD1 will connect with Service SD2 and passengers can remain on the vehicle for onward travel.

Service SD3 - South Devon College – Kingsbridge: A 0757 departure from Kingsbridge to South Devon College, with a return journey at 1705.

Service FALCON

From 3 September 2023, passengers wishing to make journeys on the local bus network in Exeter or Plymouth with a Falcon ticket will need to purchase an add on ticket through megabus.com at the time of purchasing travel on Falcon.

Flacon tickets will not be able to be purchased on board the local bus network and travel on the local bus network with a Falcon ticket will only be possible with the purchase of the appropriate add on ticket. While there will be no change to the route and timetable for Falcon, there will be changes to the onward travel provided on the wider Stagecoach local bus network.

Thoughts?

Two things that stand out for me – there are a good few service enhancements here, pretty much all down to additional funding from Devon CC which is a good things.

Negative? with all the service enhancements it does strike me odd that easy bus travel between the two principal cities in Devon has become even more difficult and more expensive. Unless I have missed something it now impossible just to catch one bus from Plymouth City Centre through to Exeter City Centre? You either change at Ivybridge -  to to two hourly service to Exeter. Does not seem to be a guaranteed connection ?  Or you could get the Falcon – again dropping you off at a Park and ride so needing an additional bus into Exeter City Centre, and they have made it more difficult to buy through tickets on the bus. Anyone know how much a single to Exeter is in the Falcon these days – the ticket finder on the web site quote me over £12 surely that's not correct is it? There are a couple of departures available on Flixbus a day which seem to start at £3.99 when available which seems to be the best option that I can see – even that's twice the standard £2 single fare you can use between between most other towns across Devon & Cornwall with linking bus services – just not between the two biggest ones!

If I have missed something obvious and I am wrong please tell me!

Devon & Cornwall Transit 2021 Week 29

It is time for the usual weekly look back on what has been published on the Registered Local Bus Services site over the last week. As always click through for more details including timetables and maps.

Bit of a mixed bag this last week:

• Dartline (Dealtop Ltd) Changes to their Park & Ride in Exeter from September and a new school service
• Holsworthy Ltd: Don't get too excited – these are cancelled registrations for service that last ran back in 2013-2015!
• Stagecoach: Catching up with previous timetable changes during Covid. and new registrations for extra Park & Ride services in Plymouth for the Sail Grand Prix weekend earlier this month. They kept them pretty quiet as I didn't notice any publicity for them at the time.
• Axe valley (Searle) Two new school services from September

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes	OPERATOR
PH1016164.028	14	Bideford Morrisons	Bideford Morrisons	12-Jul-2021	cancelled - not operated service since May 15!	HOLSWORTHY LTD
PH1016164.014	15X S	The Quay, Bideford	Asda, Atlantic Village, Bideford	20-Jul-2021	cancelled, stopped operating service in April 2015	HOLSWORTHY LTD
PH1020951.136	21 21A 21C	Ilfracombe or Barnstaple	Appledore or Westward Ho!	05-Jul-2021	Register timetable as permanent post covid lockdown as well as adding 21C to Ruda and increase Devon Sunday service. Last timetable dated 31 May 2021	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0005305.070	368	Congregational Church, Honiton	Broadhembury	31-Aug-2021	Mon-Sat school term Tues- Fri- Sat School holidays	DEALTOP LIMITED
PH1016164.024	624	Buckland Monachorum School	Yelverton Roundabout	20-Jul-2021	Cancelled- ceased operating service in April 2014	HOLSWORTHY LTD
PH0005305.065	679	Beech Hill	Exeter Bus Station	26-Jul-2021	Closure of Exeter Bus station to service 679.	DEALTOP LTD
PH0004666.008	923	Bridport Bus Station	Colyford, The Elms Bus Stop	08-Sep-2021	Monday to Friday during Colyton Grammar School days. Twice daily, morning and afternoon	FRANCES MAY SEARLE
PH0004666.007	924	Uplyme, Village Hall	Colyford, The Elms Bus Stop	08-Sep-2021	Monday to Friday during Colton Grammar School days. Twice daily, morning and afternoons	FRANCES MAY SEARLE
PH1020951.343	PR1	George Park and Ride	Plymouth	18-Jul-2021	Park and Ride service for Sail GP Plymouth. Published after the event and no publicity found anywhere or on Stagecoach Twitter. Presume extra buses laid on	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.342	PR2	Coypool	Plymouth	17-Jul-2021	Park and Ride service for Sail GP Plymouth. Published after the event and no publicity found anywhere or on Stagecoach Twitter. Presume extra buses laid on	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0005305.005	PR3	EXETER, Digby Park & Ride	EXETER, R D E Wonford Hospital	13-Sep-2021	Route and timetable amended due to road closure	DEALTOP LIMITED
PH0005305.066	SPR3	Sowton Park & Ride	Sowton Park & Ride	13-Sep-2021	Change of route due to road closure	DEALTOP LIMITED

This weekend we have a few services that have moved into the new bus station in Exeter which opened today (see below for more)

The other big service is the new Newquay Park & Ride service 99 which launched yesterday:

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes	OPERATOR
PH1020951.075	39	Exeter, Chudleigh. Bovey Tracey	Newton Abbot	25-Jul-2021	New bus station Exeter	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.036	57	Exeter	Exmouth	25-Jul-2021	Change to new bus station following the closure of the old one.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.057	58, 58C	Exeter	Budleigh Salterton	25-Jul-2021	The opening of the new bus station in Exeter	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0000135.295	99	Newquay, Treloggan (Morrisons), Newquay Zoo, Newquay Rail Station or Great Western Hotel	Newquay Park & Ride	24-Jul-2021	New Service	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0005305.065	679	Beech Hill	Exeter Bus Station	26-Jul-2021	Closure of Exeter Bus station to service 679.	DEALTOP LTD
PH1020951.321	L	Exeter South Street	Pinhoe	25-Jul-2021	Moving bus stations following the closure of the old, and opening of the new.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD

Talking about the new bus station we have this release from the Devon General Omnibus Trust which I meant to post this last week but have been unwell (heat related!)

Devon General AEC Regent V at Exeter bus station plaque unveiling

The Devon General Omnibus Trust’s 1957 AEC Regent V VDV 817 featured in a ceremony at the new Exeter bus station on Monday 19^th July, when the Prince of Wales unveiled a commemorative plaque. The bus was the backdrop to many photographs of Prince Charles.

Peter Murnaghan, DGOT’s chairman, said “We were delighted to be asked by Stagecoach South West to provide 817, and even more pleased to discover on the day that it was for a royal event. Our volunteers did a grand job in preparing the bus and its classic Devon General livery certainly sparkled in the sunshine. It was fitting for 817 to be present, as it was the first bus into the 1964 bus station that is now being replaced. 817 worked on Exeter city services until withdrawal in 1971 and joined the Trust’s collection four years ago”.

Photo supplied by Exeter City Council:

Exeter new Bus Station

Thanks to Paul Dudfield (Padbus) for these photos:

I thought you might like these pictures of Exeter’s new bus station which is nearing completion for use on your Blog.  I also enclose a hurriedly taken picture of a bus which was passing by the bus station which also shows what has been built on the old bus garage site. As well as the Co-op store it is a vast block of student flats called The Depot.

I am overdue a trip to Exeter, but then who isnt overdue a trip or two these days? Hopefully when we are allowed out again there will be a new way across the Moors to get there!

Stagecoach Exeter Consultation

 

Stagecoach have published a consultation document for their plans in and around the Exeter area.

Although entitled ‘Exeter Edition,’ the routes mentioned go beyond the City, particularly into East Devon, parts of Mid Devon, Teignbridge and West Devon. Details of how to respond are on Page 7 of the document.

This is a review of Stagecoach’s commercial commitments. Any impact on County Council-supported services will be discussed with the Council and no changes to County-supported services may go forward without the Council’s agreement.

As part of Stagecoach South West`s commitment to our customer and stakeholder engagement including Devon County Council and other local authorities, we have produced a consultative document with the main aim of offering stakeholders and members of the public alike, an opportunity to actively participate in the bus route planning process for Stagecoach routes in the South West region

Bob Dennison, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West says ‘This is a new approach for us; to engage both customer and other stakeholders in the planning of our network in advance of making changes. We are keen for the public and our key partners to provide information to assist us in planning the routes that facilitate their day to day lives

 

We will be publishing consultation plans for our key areas of operation; Exeter, Barnstaple, Torquay and Plymouth. To download a copy of the Exeter consultation plan please click here.

or you can view my archive copy here

It is good to see them setting out their plans in this way giving passengers the chance to have their say. If you do use any of the services detailed in the consultation booklet then make sure you do let them know what you think - its not often we get asked!

©didbygraham December 2017

The X38 just one of the routes which are mentioned. If you don't want to see more cutbacks then let them know!

The Great West Run

I don't normally post on weekends but for those interested in capturing buses on diversions etc then this may of use…

The Great West Run takes place in Exeter tomorrow with a special shuttle service running as well as some major diversions in place for the morning;

1. Shuttle buses MUST have been pre-booked via website. - deadline has now passed.

2. No on the day purchase for buses will be possible

3. Shuttle bus wrist bands will be posted out within race pack or separately if a later purchase.

4. Wristband MUST be worn and shown to driver for travel.

5. Buses will leave from Exeter Central Bus Station.

6. Buses will run between 7am & 7.45am – please take stress out of travel and arrive as close to 7am as possible to ensure you are not delayed.

7. It is simply not possible for us to delay busses for late arrivals.

8. Outbound buses will drop runners off at Pinhoe Road/Whipton Village Road Junction and then participants should make short walk to Exeter Arena (we are unable to get double decker buses any closer).

9. Return buses will be available from top of Summer Lane (Beacon Lane Direction) from 11.30am. Earlier buses will follow diversion due route road closures, once roads are reopened buses will follow direct route back to Central Bus Station.

The Great West Run takes place in Exeter this Sunday 15 October and road closures will be in place from 0600 until approx. 1300 at the following locations:

Old Tiverton Road, Sidwell Street, High Street, Queen Street, Summer Lane, Cowley Bridge Road, Union Road, Prince of Wales Road and Pinhoe Road

For the duration of the closures, we will be using the following diversions:

Route A – Towards Alphington, normal route to Cheeke Street, then buses left into Lower Level, left onto Paris Street, Western Way, Exe Bridges and resume normal route.

Route A – Towards Thornpark Rise, normal route to Exe Bridges, then buses divert via Western Way, Paris Street Roundabout, into Cheeke Street, take the first right into Belgrave road, left onto Summerland Street, left onto Bampfylde Street, left onto Cheeke Street and resume normal route.

Route B –Towards Exe Bridges, From Pinhoe Loop, buses turn left towards Venny Bridges, then right towards Sainsbury's, continue straight on to Middlemoor roundabout, take the third exit onto Sidmouth Road into Honiton Road, continue straight until Paris Street Roundabout, then turn into Cheeke Street, serve Bus Station, turn left onto Paris Street, then Western Way, Exe Bridges and resume normal route. Diversion also applies in opposite direction.

Route E, F1 and P – Towards Old Tiverton Road, normal route to BHS, then turn right into South Street, then divert via Western Way, Paris Street Roundabout, into Cheeke Street, take the first right into Belgrave road, left onto Summerland Street, left onto Bampfylde Street, left onto Cheeke Street, then Heavitree Road, East Wonford Hill, Honiton Road, Sidmouth Road, turn left onto Hill Barton Road, continue to Venny Bridges, then turn left onto B3181, then left onto Church Hill, left into Harrington Lane, continue to Beacon Heath, (E & F1 resume normal route), then continue along Beacon Lane, Calthorpe Road, Prince Charles Road and at Stoke Hill Roundabout resume normal route. Diversion also applies in opposite direction.
Please note, the P will be operating a split service as to avoid any severe late running of service, details TBC.

Route F2 – Towards Pinhoe, normal route to BHS, then buses right onto South Street, then divert via Western Way, Paris Street Roundabout, into Cheeke Street, take the first right into Belgrave road, left onto Summerland Street, left onto Bampfylde Street, left onto Cheeke Street, then Heavitree Road, East Wonford Hill, Honiton Road, Sidmouth Road, turn left onto Hill Barton Road, continue to Sainsburys, then turn left onto Pinhoe Road, then right into Thackeray Road, operate loop in Summerway then resume normal route to Pinhoe. Diversion also applies in opposite direction.

Route D – Towards the Clock Tower, normal route to Cheeke Street, then buses divert left into Lower Level, then left onto Paris Street, into Cheeke Street, take the first right into Belgrave road, left onto Summerland Street, left onto Bampfylde Street, left onto Cheeke Street and resume normal route towards Digby.

Route H and 56 – Towards St David’s, normal route to Cheek Street, then H buses divert left into Lower Level and 56 from Bus Station, left onto Paris Street, then divert via Western Way, South Street, Market Street, Fore Street, around Exe Bridges, onto Bonhay Road, continue on Bonhay Road, then turn left into St David’s Station. Diversion also applies in opposite direction.

Route J, K and T – Towards Pinhoe, normal route to BHS, then buses turn right onto South Street, then divert via Western Way, Paris Street Roundabout, into Cheeke Street, take the first right into Belgrave road, left onto Summerland Street, left onto Bampfylde Street, left onto Cheeke Street, then Heavitree Road, East Wonford Hill, Honiton Road, Sidmouth Road, turn left onto Hill Barton Road, continue to Whipton Barton Road, then turn left into Whipton Barton Road, continue towards Whipton Shops, then turn right onto Pinhoe Road and operate diversion back towards City Centre.

Route S – Towards Rifford Road, normal route to Cheeke Street, then buses turn left into Lower Level from Cheeke Street, then left onto Paris Street, Western Way, South Street, Market Street, BHS, left into South Street and resume normal route.

Route R – Towards Rifford Road, normal route to BHS, then divert via South Street, Western Way, Paris Street Roundabout, Cheeke Street, take the first right into Belgrave road, left onto Summerland Street, left onto Bampfylde Street, left onto Cheeke Street and resume normal route.

Route 1’s - Left onto Paris Street, then buses divert via Heavitree Road, East Wonford Hill, Honiton Road, Sidmouth Road, turn left onto Hill Barton Road, continue to Venny Bridges, then resume normal route.

Red Park and Ride – Towards Paris Street, normal route to Venny Bridges, then buses turn right towards Sainsburys, continue straight on to Middlemoor roundabout, take the third exit onto Sidmouth Road into Honiton Road, continue straight until Paris Street Roundabout, then turn into Cheeke Street, into Bus Station serve stand 17, then (wait time in Lower Level of Bus Station) then use diverted route back to Park and Ride.

Route 55’s – Towards Tiverton, when leaving the Bus Station, turn left onto Paris Street, at Paris Street Roundabout, divert via Heavitree Road, East Wonford Hill, Honiton Road, M5, A361, A396 and into Tiverton Bus Station. This diversion applies in both directions.

Route 5’s – From Crediton, we will be operating a shuttle service as far as Bernaville Nurseries, then turning back towards Crediton.

Park & Ride Liveries

Still slowly plodding through all the photos taken on the PSV Circle weekend a few weeks ago I have started on some of the Stagecoach visits to both Exeter and Plymouth bases…

So two Park & Ride Enviro MMCs of the same age. Plymouths 10458 and Exeter;s 10454. Considering that Stagecoach could quite easily have just used the same basic livery template for both services, I have to say that I am glad they didn't. I think that Plymouth clearly got the better deal when it comes to the Park & Ride livery.

Having said all that I think this one was the best…

I am sure you all agree with me…

Almost Farewell to Exeter Bus Station

There has been a bit of a backlog of postings over the last few weeks due to holidays and also the heavy workload of Devon & Cornwall Transit over the last month or so. Catching up from March we have a few photos from the Exeter Bus Station Farewell event which took place even though the bus station is staying open a while yet.

I have focused on the Devon General contingent here but the full set of photos supplied by Richard & Peter can be found here if you want them.

Thanks to Richard Smith and Peter Murnaghan for supply these photos…

Plymothian Transit Extra for more photos from the event

New Exeter Rail Depot

Continuing our catch up of recent(ish) railway news from the area:

Planning consent for a new rail depot at Exeter has been submitted by Network Rail on behalf of GWR today. (24th Feb 2017) This submission forms part of a wider programme of rail improvements to increase rail capacity in the South West, including new and refreshed trains and station improvements.
The train operator GWR is looking to improve the existing Exeter Olds View Depot train maintenance facility in Exeter to accommodate an increase in fleet size in the Devon and Cornwall area which will lead to more seats, and more frequent services. 
GWR Regional Development Manager West, Dan Okey explains:
“With brand new electric trains coming to suburban London services and bi-mode Intercity Express Trains on the mainline in Devon and Cornwall, this will allow us to move part of our existing regional fleet to Exeter - providing more carriages, and more frequent services to the area.”
The new depot is situated alongside existing facilities next to Exeter St. Davids staation and will provide enhanced modern servicing, cleaning and maintenance facilities necessary to support these trains. The plans include office and welfare facilities for staff and the depot is designed to provide improved facilities for train maintenance.
GWR is seeking to begin the new depot, subject to planning consent being secured, in Spring 2018 and will complete in mid 2019.
New electric trains in London and Thames Valley area, and new Intercity Express Trains across the GWR mainline network will enable GWR to provide significant improvements in capacity on mainline, regional and local suburban services.
These changes are part of the wider franchise improvements that GWR is delivering and is one of the largest fleet upgrades that the Great Western network will see in a generation. 

Exeter Bus Station - the Final Goodbye?

Advance notice of an event in Exeter later this year for those that might be interested…

Nick Southall (cc) January 2010

Peters Snaps from the weekend

The first set of pictures sent in by others to share on Plymothian Transit

You might like to use some of my snapshots from Saturday. I say Snaps, as they were generally taken to capture a moment, not photographs, which are normally composed with care. So, whilst their photographic qualities might not win any prizes, I do think that they captured the essence of the run over from Exeter that you sadly missed.

I would also like to record my appreciation of everybody who gave up their time over this busy weekend to make it such fun for everybody. This includes the bus and coach owners, their drivers and the many volunteers who gave up their time freely to help both the Devon General Omnibus Trust and the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group. It was a great weekend guys, and girls, enjoyed by many.

Peter Murnaghan

Also the view on Laira Bridge, which you will be familiar with. After causing much traffic congestion, which attracted the attention of the Devon & Cornwall Police, the recovery truck arrived after about an hour and towed 162 back to depot.  I don't think that the Conductor was blameworthy for this failure!

A letter box view, which reminded me of Del Trotter's Reliant, which was lettered up for Trotters Independent Trading New York, Paris, Peckham.  My view captures European cities mixed with more mundane places like Bridport and Guildford.

Thanks again to Peter for the excellent shots especially from the Exeter to Plymouth run.

More shots over the coming days from others who have sent them in. (feel free if you still want to send some in !)

Celebration Weekend

Two bus stations closing this summer

Devon General Omnibus Trust working together with Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group

The bus and coach stations at Paris Street in Exeter and Bretonside in Plymouth are both due to close this summer.  To celebrate the heyday of coaching, the Devon General Omnibus Trust has organised a cavalcade of historic coaches between the two sites.

On Saturday 16th July, up to twenty old buses and coaches will leave Exeter coach station at 1030, bound for Bretonside in Plymouth.  They will travel along the traditional route that was used before the A38 South Devon Expressway was opened in 1975.  They will pass through the Devon countryside and remind passengers and bystanders of a bygone era when luxury coach travel took place at a more sedate pace, when people weren't in such a hurry.

The coaches will leave Exeter via Countess Wear and Matford to join the A38 for the climb up Haldon Hill.  They will turn off to follow the old road through Chudleigh (around 1100) and Bickington, through Ashburton (around 1120) and Buckfastleigh, and through South Brent (around 1140) and Ivybridge.

At Smithaleigh, they will pause to regroup into a convoy for the final leg into Plymouth, where they will be met by a Civic party at Bretonside at around 1230.

Chairman of the Devon General Omnibus Trust, Peter Murnaghan said “ It is a very sad day to be saying goodbye to not just one long established bus and coach station in the South West, but two in the same year.  We recognise that travel patterns change over time and these two sites need to be replaced, but they hold happy memories for many thousands of holidaymakers and local travellers over the years, who have caught coaches from Exeter and Plymouth.  We thought that we must mark this unique moment in our history with a run of heritage coaches between the two cities”.

The coaches are privately owned and restored, but members of the public may buy a programme at Exeter before departure and ask permission of the drivers to travel on the cavalcade.  Many of the coaches will be staying in Plymouth for a rally the next day, so it will not be possible to return on the historic coaches.  Any passengers would need to make their own way back to Exeter on normal bus or train services.

In Plymouth, a number of heritage bus services will be running on routes around the city on Saturday afternoon and a major transport rally, organised by the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group will be taking place at The George park & ride car park on the following day, Sunday 17th July.

The Devon General Omnibus Trust would welcome readers' photographs of the old coaches passing through the Devon villages during the morning run.  See their website www.dgot.co.uk for contact details.

Thanks to Peter Murnaghan for supplying photos, of just a few of the buses and coaches that should be attending these events.