Further investment in bus services connecting to Exeter

Bus services connecting to Exeter are to benefit from further investment with a cross-city bus service being extended from next month.

Devon County Council is using financial contributions from the Milbury Farm development in Exminster to fund the extension of Stagecoach’s Service B.

The new route of the Service B will start on Monday (4th February) providing a six days a week, all day connection between Exminster, Matford Business Park, Marsh Barton, the city centre, Pinhoe and Exeter Business Park. Buses will run up to every half hour in both directions and a new timetable will be available shortly.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “Areas which have undergone recent growth are benefiting from these public transport improvements. This latest investment follows the Service J improvement in Exeter to serve the Rydons in Newcourt and the Digby retail park earlier this year. And last year, Devon County Council used its Local Sustainable Transport Funding to introduce the peak hour Service 10 bus route and the improved Service 58 from Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth to Exeter.”

Councillor Alan Connett, Devon County Councillor for Exminster and Kenton, said: “The new B service will link Exminster through Marsh Barton and that is a welcome benefit for residents who work there or need to get to that side of Exeter. The developer funding lasts for five years, so we have a real chance now of making this a sustainable route by building the passenger numbers. Working with Exminster Parish Council, it has been agreed with the developers and Devon County Council that this new service will run on the main road through Exminster, giving more people the chance to use this service. It was originally intended that it would serve only the new housing development.”

Michelle Hargreaves, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West added: “We've seen a fantastic start to 2013 with the introduction of our new service J, new vehicles on our Exeter to Sidmouth route and now the extension of service B into Exminster, offering even more public transport connections across the city. I look forward to welcoming Exminster residents aboard.”

Exminster is also within the Exeter Megarider zone, enabling residents to get a day of unlimited travel for just £3.50. If travelling regularly, Exeter Megarider season tickets start from just £13 for 7 days of unlimited travel.

For more information please contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 www.travelinesw.com or www.stagecoachbus.com