Stagecoach SW announce a redesigned bus network
Stagecoach South West have announced today that following a comprehensive review of their network, from Sunday 30th October 2022 there will be a number of changes to bus timetables in the South West.
Changes mainly affect Exeter and outlying areas and North Devon. There are also a couple of minor changes in Plymouth and Torbay.
These changes will enable the company to focus resource where demand is greatest, concentrating on maintaining vital journeys and connections and to provide a network that best meets the changing needs of the communities they serve.
Stagecoach South West Managing Director Mike Watson said; ‘Like many industries across the country, we have been experiencing staff shortages that have affected the standard of our service delivery. We are so sorry to our customers who have experienced disruptions to their journeys throughout this difficult time. We continue to maximise our recruitment efforts and attract new staff with our recent hourly wage increase and the introduction of a welcome bonus in some of our areas. However, it has been necessary for us to also introduce network changes that will help us to improve service reliability and keep passengers connected across our most popular routes.’
The company announces plans to simplify and enhance the Exeter City network, introducing a package of improvements with some frequencies increased, and a greater number of connections now possible. Customers will be offered a more frequent cross city connection via Service 4 and new Service 4A, offering improved journey opportunities between St David’s Railway Station, Honiton Road Park & Ride and Cranbrook. Customers will also have a new link from the Railway Station and the Park & Ride to Exeter Airport.
Some longer distance routes serving Exeter City Centre have also been redesigned and simplified to reflect demand and ensure bus services remain commercially viable. Where it has been necessary to reduce service or withdraw from some areas, Devon County Council have worked to procure replacement services where possible under contract. Following tender processes, some of these new services will be operated by Stagecoach, whilst others will be operated by different bus operators.
New timetables will be available shortly
Changes to the Exeter City Bus Network
Service A (Alphington - Thornpark Rise via City Centre)
Following a review of passenger demand for the route between Alphington and the City Centre, the Monday to Saturday daytime frequency will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes, providing an additional journey opportunity each hour. Buses will continue to operate every 30 minutes in the evening and on Sundays and Public Holidays. There are also some minor changes to timings to improve reliability and punctuality, such as additional time given between Alphington and St Thomas.
The route will be amended to operate between Alphington and the City Centre only, with the City Centre to Thornpark Rise section covered by changes to Services R and S. To ensure passengers have access to as much of the City Centre as possible, the route will start and terminate at the Odeon in the City Centre.
Service B1/B2 (Pinhoe / Science Park - Exminster)
As part of plans to simplify and enhance the Exeter City network, there are a number of changes to current Services B1 and B2, with a simpler service, numbered B, operating from 30th October.
The current Service B2 between Exminster and Science Park via the City Centre will be re-numbered as Service B, with the Monday to Saturday daytime frequency doubled from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes. On Sunday and Public Holidays buses will operate hourly during the main part of the day between Exminster and the City Centre only. Departure times on Sundays and Public Holidays will be revised to provide more evenly spaced departures with Service 2 through Exminster.
Following customer feedback, there will be a number of additional early morning Monday to Friday journeys across the route as well as some additional early morning and early evening journeys between Matford Park and Ride and Teignmouth.
Service B1, between the City Centre and Pinhoe, will be covered by changes to Service E2, and between Exminster and the City Centre the frequency of Service B buses is doubled.
Service C (Exeter St David’s – Sandy Park)
Timetables will be updated following the announcement of fixtures for the new season.
Service E1/E2 (City Centre – Exwick)
As part of a re-design of the Exeter City network, there will be changes to the route and timetable of Services E1 and E2.
Service E1 and E2 will both operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes during the evening and on Sundays and Public Holidays. Between the City Centre and Exwick, Services E1 and E2 will continue to provide up to four departures per hour throughout the day and following the current routes.
Service E1 will be extended beyond the City Centre to Beacon Heath, replacing the current Service F1 route, with the exception of Savoy Hill. Passengers boarding Service E1 along King Arthurs Road and Lancelot Road will benefit from reducing journey times into the City Centre, as buses will no longer divert to serve Savoy Hill.
Service E2 will be extended beyond the City Centre to Pinhoe , replacing the current Service B1 route between the City Centre and Pinhoe. The frequency of buses between the City Centre and Pinhoe will double from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes Monday to Friday and Saturday daytime.
Both Services E1 and E2 will operate via Old Tiverton Road, Stoke Hill and Mincinglake Road, which retains a provision of up to four buses per hour.
Following customer feedback, an earlier first journey on Service E2 from Pinhoe will be introduced Monday to Friday, there will also be earlier first journeys from Exwick into the City Centre on Monday to Friday.
As a result of the changes, Union Road, which is currently served by daytime journeys on Service F2, will be served by Devon County Council supported Service F.
NEW Service F (Cowley Bridge – Summerway)
A new Service F is introduced, operated under contract to Devon County Council. This new service and the changes to Services E1/E2 will replace Services F1/F2. Service F will operate hourly, Monday to Saturday daytimes, between Cowley Bridge and Summerway via the City Centre and Savoy Hill / Union Road. Journeys will alternate and serve either Savoy Hill or Union Road.
Customers are advised to check the timetable for further details.
Service F1/F2 (City Centre – Beacon Heath)
Following a comprehensive review of the Exeter City network, it is necessary to make a number of changes to ensure our resource is allocated to areas where demand is greatest. Services F1 and F2 will replaced by Services E1 and E2 and new Service F. These routes will offer an alternative for the majority of passengers, however, unfortunately some sections of the current Service F1 and F2 routes will be served less frequently by new Service F.
The current Service F1 route will be covered by new Service E1, with Savoy Hill covered by new Service F. Whilst the current Service F2 route will be replaced by new Services E1 and E2, with the exception of Summer Lane and Summerway, which will be served by new Service F.
Service H1/H2 (West Garth Road / Exeter St David’s – Digby)
Services H1 and H2 will be simplified and replaced by a new Service H, which will operate one consistent route between Exeter St David’s and Digby. West Garth Road and Cowley Bridge Road will no longer be served by Service H, however, new service F will offer a replacement.
Between Exeter St David’s and Digby all journeys will operate via the current Service H2 route, with the unique section of Service H1 route around Broadfields served by changes to Services R and S.
The timetable is simplified to make timings easier to read.
Due to low passenger demand evening buses and all Sunday and Public Holiday journeys will no longer operate. Newly designed Services 4 and 4A will provide a replacement connection between Exeter St David’s and the City Centre, whilst Services R and S, which will be rerouted to serve the RD&E Hospital at these times.
Service I (City Centre – Digby)
There will be minor changes to the timetable at the start and end of the day, with a number of journeys extended or curtailed to Countess Wear.
Service J (City Centre – Digby)
There will be minor changes to the timetable at the start and end of the day, with a number of journeys extended or curtailed to Countess Wear.
Service P (Crossmead – Pennsylvania via City Centre)
To facilitate an improved frequency of buses, the route will be amended to operate a one way loop from Cowick Street via Dunsford Road, Barley Lane, Barley Farm Road, Berkshire Drive, Bowhay Lane and Dunsford Road. This change of route will provide improved access to local healthcare facilities. Bus stops on Okehampton Road, Isleworth Road and Charnley Road will no longer be served, however, Service E1/E2 stops nearby in many cases and Dartline’s 173 will provide some journeys to Okehampton Street.
The Monday to Saturday daytime frequency is increased to every 30 minutes throughout the main part of the day. Journeys are retimed to reduce travelling times for passengers, and the timetable is simplified to make timings easier to read.
Service R and S (Rifford Road Circular)
There are a number of changes to the route and timetable of Service R, which are designed to improve the frequency of buses at the busiest times of the day and provide a number of new links and journey opportunities.
While the route will still operate as a circular, the route will be extended to serve Thornpark Rise via Broadfields, which provides replacements in relation to changes to Services A and H1. The new route will reinstate a direct link between Broadfields and Heavitree, which follows passenger feedback. Journeys during the evening and all day on Sunday and Public Holidays will now also serve the RD&E Hospital, providing a partial replacement for Service H, which will not be operating at these times.
Some journey times will be extended by up to 10 minutes, however, an improved frequency will be provided. The Monday to Saturday daytime frequency will be increased from every 40 minutes to every 30 minutes on both Services R and S, providing a combined 15 minute frequency.
The daily evening frequency is reduced from 30 to 60 minutes on each service, providing a combined 30 minute frequency. On Sundays and Public Holidays the frequency is reduced from 40 to 60 minutes on each service, providing a combined 30 minute frequency.
Service T (City Centre – Topsham Quay)
Service T will no longer be operated by Stagecoach with a revised timetable operated by Dartline under contract to Devon County Council. This will provide three return journeys per day Monday to Friday and Saturday between the City Centre and Woodbury via Topsham Quay.
The majority of passengers using Service T will also be able to use other services, including Service 57 as an alternative.
Service X (Whipton – Honiton Road Park & Ride)
Service Y (Alphington – Matford Park & Ride via Exwick and City Centre)
Service Z (Exminster – Matford Park & Ride via Honiton Road Park & Ride)
Service is withdrawn due to low passenger demand and high operating cost.
The majority of passengers using the service are Stagecoach members of staff and alternative arrangements will be in place, including some additional early morning journeys on other services.
Changes to Park & Ride, Rail and Airport Connections
As part of a package of improvements to the Exeter City network, existing service 4 has been redesigned, and a new service 4A is launched to provide frequent cross city connections offering improved journey opportunities between St David’s Railway Station, Honiton Road Park & Ride and Cranbrook. Customers will also have a new link from the Railway Station and the Park & Ride to Exeter Airport.
Service 4 (Exeter – Cranbrook)
Service 4 will be extended beyond Exeter City Centre to Exeter St David’s, providing a new direct link to the railway station for many passengers. A revised route will apply in the City Centre. Combined with new Service 4A, a combined 10 minute frequency will operate throughout the main part of the day Monday to Saturday between Honiton Road Park and Ride and Exeter St David’s.
NEW Service 4A (Exeter St David’s – Exeter Airport)
A new Service 4A will be introduced, which will link Exeter St David’s with the City Centre, Honiton Road Park and Ride and Exeter Airport. Service 4A will operate every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and hourly on Sundays and Public Holidays. Combined with new Service 4A, a combined 10 minute frequency will operate throughout the main part of the day Monday to Saturday between Honiton Road Park and Ride and Exeter St David’s.
Service 4A provides a replacement for the majority of passengers currently using Services 56 and Red, which will no longer operate.
Service 56/56A/56B/56E (Exeter – Exmouth via Exeter Airport)
Services 56/56A/56B will be withdrawn from 30 October 2022, and replaced between Exeter St David’s and Exeter Airport by new Service 4A, which operates up to every 20 minutes and represents a significant increase in frequency over this section of route.
There are no changes to evening Service 56E. Please refer to new Service 96 for details of partial replacement for Service 56 in the Exmouth area.
Service Red (City Centre – Honiton Road Park & Ride)
Service Red will no longer operate, with Service 4 new Service 4A designed to provide a more frequent cross city route with improved connections.
Changes to Buses into Exeter City Centre
Service 5/5A/5B/5C (Exeter – Okehampton / Barnstaple / Chulmleigh)
There are significant changes to the route and timetable of Service 5/5A/5B/5C from 30 October 2022, which are designed to simplify the timetable and ensure the service is commercially viable.
Service 5 will operate Monday to Saturday daytimes every 20 minutes between Exeter and Crediton.
Morning peak journeys will start from Chulmleigh, Winkleigh and Hatherleigh and afternoon peak journeys will extend to Chulmleigh, Winkleigh and Hatherliegh.
Service 5 will operate hourly during the evenings and on Sundays and Public Holidays.
As a result of the above changes, Okehampton, Barnstaple and Chulmleigh will no longer be served by Services 5A/5B/5C during the main part of the day. With the exception of one morning and one afternoon journey Monday to Friday, Service 5B will not operate between Crediton and Barnstaple.
Devon County Council are in the process of procuring replacement services between Exeter / Crediton with Okehampton, Barnstaple and Chulmleigh.
Service 6/6A (Exeter – Okehampton / Okehampton - Bude)
There are significant changes to the route and timetable of Service 6/6A from 30 October 2022, which are designed to simplify the timetable and ensure the service is commercially viable.
Service 6 and Service 6A will both operate between Bude and Okehampton approximately every three hours Monday to Saturday daytime, with the route extended to and from Okehampton Railway Station. Some additional journeys will operate at peak times to facilitate school, college and commuter flows.
All journeys on Service 6A will operate the current Service 6A route, which serves Sticklepath and Whiddon Down. Passengers wishing to travel across Okehampton will benefit from co-ordinated timetables between Services 6 and 6A, however, will be required to change buses at Okehampton Railway Station. The timetables of Services 6 and 6A are designed to facilitate connections between them, as well as connections with GWR rail services to Crediton and Exeter St David’s.
Devon County Council are currently looking at potentially procuring a Sunday and Public Holiday timetable. Devon County Council have arranged a new Service 306 to operate between Okehampton and Launceston, which will be provided by another operator.
NEW Service 43 (Pinhoe – Exeter Airport)
A new Service 43 is introduced under contract to Devon County Council, operating Monday to Friday between Pinhoe Railway Station and Exeter Airport via the Science Park. Buses will operate up to six journeys in each direction, during the morning and afternoon peak times only.
Service 55/55A/55B (Exeter – Tiverton)
There will be significant changes to Services 55/55A/55B from 30 October 2022, which are designed to simplify the timetable and ensure the service is commercially viable.
All journeys will operate as a standard Service 55 between Exeter Bus Station and Tiverton Bus Station, with the Service 55A and 55B route variations withdrawn. Service 55 will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime. During the evening and on Sunday and Public Holidays buses will operate every 90 minutes, seeing an improvement to the current level of service.
Due to the removal of Service 55B, a new Service 355 will be introduced, which will follow the same route as Service 55B. Service 355 will be operated by Stagecoach and under contract to Devon County Council and will operate up to 7 journeys per day Monday to Friday and Saturday between Exeter and Tiverton via Thorverton and Silverton.
Service 58 (Exeter – Exmouth)
There are significant changes to the route and timetable of Service 58, with Service 58C withdrawn.
The new Service 58 will operate between Exeter and Exmouth via Middlemoor, Greendale Business Park, Woodbury Salterton and Woodbury. Service 58 will operate approximately every two hours Monday to Friday and Saturday, with the Saturday timetable operated under contract to Devon County Council. Morning and afternoon peak journeys will additionally serve Brixington, which is designed to facilitate commuter flows.
Devon County Council are in the process of procuring a replacement journey between Budleigh Salterton and Exeter on Mondays to Fridays.
NEW Service 96 (Exmouth – Lympstone)
To provide a partial replacement for withdrawn Service 56, a new Service 96 will be introduced and will operate under contract to Devon County Council. Service 96 will operate hourly Monday to Saturday daytime between Exmouth and Lympstone via Bryon Way.
Service 155 (Exeter – Barnstaple via Tiverton and South Molton)
There are significant changes to Service 155 from 30 October 2022, which are designed to reduce staffing requirements and to ensure the network is commercially viable.
Service 155 will operate hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes between Barnstaple and South Molton only (one journey starts North Molton). Journeys will extend beyond Barnstaple Bus Station to Pottington Industrial Estate via Barnstaple Railway Station, providing additional local journey opportunities within Barnstaple. Where possible, school and college journeys will continue to operate as currently, including one journey serving North Molton.
Passengers travelling between Exeter and Tiverton will be able to use Service 55, which operates up to every 30 minutes.
As a result of significant route changes to Service 155, a new Service 346 will be introduced to operate between South Molton and Tiverton via Witheridge (following the same route as Service 155 currently does). Service 346 will be operated by Stagecoach under contract to Devon County Council and will provide 7 journeys (approximately a two hourly frequency) per day Monday to Saturday between South Molton and Tiverton, with the timetable designed to facilitate connections with Service 55 at Tiverton and Service 155 at South Molton for onward travel.
Service 157/257/357 (Exmouth – Sidmouth via Budleigh Salterton)
Due to low passenger demand the 0823 Service 357 from Byron Way to Bicton College and the 1700 Service 357 from Bicton College to Byron Way will be withdrawn.
Service 222 (Dawlish Warren – Teignmouth)
Service is suspended for the Winter season until April 2023.
NEW Service 351 (Tiverton – Rackenford Meadow)
A new Service 351 will commence operating Monday to Friday between Tiverton Bus Station and Rackenford Meadow. Buses will operate hourly from Tiverton Bus Station from 0940 until 1440, under contract to Devon County Council.
NEW Service 355 (Exeter - Tiverton)
Please refer to Service 55/55A/55B for further details.
Service 373 (Cullompton – Tiverton)
There are changes to the Monday to Friday and Saturday timetable. Additional journeys will operate at off-peak times, which will provide a more consistent hourly frequency throughout the main part of the day.
North Devon
Service 19 (North Devon District Hospital to Roundswell via Town Centre)
An hourly daily evening frequency will be introduced between North Devon District Hospital and Barnstaple Bus Station. Existing Monday to Friday and Saturday evening journeys between Barnstaple Bus Station and Roundswell remain unchanged.
Sunday and Public Holiday daytime frequency between North Devon District Hospital and Barnstaple Bus Station will be increased from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes.
Service 21 (Ilfracombe to Westward Ho! via Barnstaple and Bideford)
Service 21A (Ilfracombe to Appledore via Barnstaple and Bideford)
Service 21C (Georgeham to Barnstaple via Braunton)
While there are no changes to the route of Service 21, there will be a number of changes to the timetable to coincide with the end of the holiday season in North Devon.
Service 21 will operate hourly 7 days a week from early until late between Ilfracombe and Westwood Ho! Combined with Service 21A, buses will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday during the main part of the day between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple.
During the main part of the day Services 21 and 21A will provide a 15 minute combined frequency Monday to Friday and a 30 minute frequency on Saturdays and Sunday / Public Holidays between Barnstaple and Northam.
Service 21A will operate hourly Monday to Saturday during the main part of the day between Ilfracombe and Appledore, with evening and Sunday / Public Holiday daytime journeys operating between Barnstaple and Appledore only.
On Sundays and Public Holidays, the timetable now provides a more consistent pattern of departures.
Service 21C will operate every 60 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime between Barnstaple and Georgeham via Croyde.
Service 71 (Barnstaple to Great Torrington via Newton Tracey)
There are minor changes to a small number of journeys in the middle of the day, with journeys departing 10 minutes later.
Service 75 (Londonderry Farm to Great Torrington via Bideford)
There will be significant changes to the route and timetable of Service 75 from 30 October 2022.
Service 75 will operate hourly Monday to Saturday daytime (approximately 0700-1900) between Bideford and Great Torrington and will follow the route of current Service 75A and therefore not serve Weare Gifford. Additional short journeys between Affinity Outlet Devon and Morrisons Bideford will no longer operate.
Service 75A (Londonderry Farm to Okehampton via Bideford and Great Torrington)
Journeys currently numbered as Service 75A between Bideford and Great Torrington will operate as revised Service 75.
Service 75A will no longer operate journeys between Great Torrington and Okehampton, however, new Service 317 will provide an alternative for customers. Please refer to Service 317 for further details.
Service 75B (Barnstaple to Okehampton via Bideford and Great Torrington)
Service 75B will no longer operate, however, Service 75 will operate between Bideford and Great Torrington and new Service 317 will operate between Bideford and Okehampton.
Please refer to Service 317 for further details.
Service 85 (Barnstaple to Holsworthy)
Monday to Friday 0650 journey from Bude will start from Holsworthy, Waitrose at 0722.
Saturday 0907 journey from Bude will start from Holsworthy, Waitrose at 0934.
Monday to Friday and Saturday 1635/1645 from Barnstaple will terminate at Holsworthy, Waitrose at 1755. A new Service 185 will provide an alternative journey opportunities for customers travelling between Bude and Holsworthy at similar times to current Service 85 journeys.
NEW Service 185 (Bude to Holsworthy)
Please refer to Service 85 for further details.
NEW Service 317 (Bideford to Okehampton)
As a result of changes to Services 75/75A/75B, a new Service 317 will operate under contract to Devon County Council. Service 317 will provide up to five journeys per day Monday to Friday and Saturday between Bideford and Okehampton via Torrington and Hatherleigh.
Service 319 (Barnstaple to Hartland / Bude via Bideford, Ford, Woolsery and Clovelly)
Monday to Friday and Saturday 0640 journey from Bude will start from Hartland at 0715 and will therefore not serve the section of route between Bude and Hartland.
Monday to Friday and Saturday 1720 journey from Barnstaple will terminate at Hartland at 1843 and therefore the section of route between Hartland and Bude will not be served.
NEW Service 346 (South Molton to Tiverton)
Please refer to Service 155 for further details.
Plymouth
Service 3 (Plymouth to Dartmouth via Kingsbridge)
There will be changes to the way in which Service 3 operates from 30 October 2022, with the service operating as two separate services. Service 3 will operate between Plymouth and Kingsbridge and a new Service 93 will operate between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth.
The frequency of buses will remain the same at up to every 60 minutes Monday to Friday and Saturday daytime on both services, with a limited Sunday and Public Holiday timetable on Service 93 between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth.
A number of departure times are revised, however, where possible school, college and commuter journeys remain largely unchanged.
Customers wishing to make journeys that involve travelling across Kingsbridge, will be able to do so and remain on the same vehicle. Customers will be able to purchase through tickets for travel across Kingsbridge and the timetable is designed to ensure Services 3 and 93 connect with each other in each direction.
Service 91 (Dartmouth Park and Ride)
Service 91 will operate on Sunday 30 October 2022 and will then be suspended and resume at the start of the 2023 season.
From November 6th 2022
Torbay
Service 75 (Newton Abbot Hospital – Newtake / Decoy)
Following a recent re-tendering exercise by Devon County Council, Stagecoach will commence operation of the Service 75 contract from week commencing 6 November 2022. Service 75 links Newton Abbot Hospital with Newtake / Decoy via the Town Centre and Railway Station up to every 30 minutes Monday to Friday and Saturday daytime.
