Tavistock set to gain late-night bus service

Stagecoach South West has announced that, following successful trials in Torbay and North Devon, a new night bus service will soon connect Tavistock with Plymouth.

The overnight Service 1 route will run between Plymouth City Centre (Royal Parade) and Tavistock, calling at Derriford Hospital and George Park and Ride.

Buses will depart Plymouth at 1am and 3am, returning from Tavistock at midnight and 2am.

The full timetable can be found here.

The service will launch on this Saturday, 31 May, and run every Saturday night until 20 December 2025, with additional journeys on Friday 19 December and Wednesday 31 December.

Operating from midnight until as late as 4am, the service aims to offer residents a safe and affordable way to travel during the night.

As part of the trial, the overnight buses will run every Saturday night (early Sunday mornings) until December, including key dates over the festive period.

Devon and Cornwall Police are supporting the initiative, with the goal of reducing drink- and drug-related incidents, anti-social behaviour, and violence against women and girls, making the night-time economy safer for all.

Peter Knight, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said: “We are proud to be part of an initiative that provides a safe and affordable evening travel option for customers. It is a great example of our ongoing commitment to serving the needs of residents and where required working with partners to achieve that goal. We hope to see a similar positive impact for the community that has been seen in Torquay and North Devon previously.”

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, added: “I am delighted that my office will once again fund this fantastic service and help even more people get home safely after a night out. I need people to use these services to show it is commercially viable to ensure it becomes a mainstay of having a night out.

“The extension of the night bus service to include seven new routes will be a fantastic boost to our evening and night time economy, encouraging residents and visitors alike to relax and enjoy socialising in Exeter, Plymouth, Newquay, Torbay and North Devon without worrying about the expense of a taxi, or having a designated driver.

“Night buses in Devon and Cornwall have been proven to be a great success, reducing crime and antisocial behaviour and making people feel safer – with the added benefit of allowing them to get home for less than the cost of a pint or a glass of wine.”