Stagecoach announces further New Year timetable changes affecting Dartmoor communities

Stagecoach South West has announced a series of timetable and operator changes coming into force from Sunday 4 January 2026, with several services affecting communities across Dartmoor and the surrounding area.

The update includes late-night services continuing into the new year, the introduction of a new night route in Exeter, and a number of Dartmoor-linked services transferring to other operators from 5 January following Devon County Council’s latest tender round.

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Dartmoor routes switching operators

As previously reported by The Moorlander, the big change for 2026 comes in the form of several routes serving rural Dartmoor communities moving from Stagecoach to other bus companies.

The 173 (Exeter - Moretonhampstead via Tedburn St Mary and Chagford) will transfer to Country Bus, while Stagecoach tickets will no longer be accepted after the changeover. 

Passengers are being advised to check new timetables and contact the new operator for details.

Other nearby rural services transferring to Dartline include the 360 (Exeter - Bridford), and the 369 (Exeter - Morchard Bishop)

These routes cover settlements on the eastern edge of Dartmoor and its hinterland, meaning passengers in small communities will see different operators from early January.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said customers “should check updated timetables before travelling” and ensure they are aware that Stagecoach tickets “are not valid on services transferring to other operators”.

Changes on the Exeter-Okehampton corridor

The long-distance link between Exeter and the northern edge of Dartmoor is also affected.

Service 6A, which currently runs between Exeter and Okehampton, will be reduced to one journey in each direction on Monday-Friday college days. 

All Sunday and public holiday journeys will be renumbered 66, but timings remain unchanged.

From 5 January, Dartline will introduce a new Service 66, offering up to seven return trips Monday to Saturday between Exeter and Okehampton.

Only one Stagecoach journey will remain on weekdays, meaning most day-to-day travel on this route will move to Dartline.

Late-night services continuing through 2026

Stagecoach has confirmed that several night-time services across Devon, including those serving Dartmoor’s nearest urban centres, will continue into 2026 following partner funding and trial success.

In the Plymouth area, the company says late-night journeys on Service 1 (Plymouth - Tavistock) will continue, with two departures from each town under a new timetable. 

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Tavistock residents will therefore retain access to weekend night buses into the city.

In North Devon, late-night services on 21 (Barnstaple - Westward Ho!) and 21B (Barnstaple - Ilfracombe) will also continue unchanged.

Night service withdrawals and additions

However, one night-time service connected with the wider Dartmoor area is being withdrawn.

Stagecoach confirms that Saturday night/Sunday morning journeys on Service 2 (Exeter -  Newton Abbot via Dawlish) are being removed “due to low demand”.

At the same time, a new night service will begin in the Exeter area.

From 10 January, a new late-night Service 4 will operate hourly between Exeter city centre and Cranbrook until around 4am. 

This route does not run through Dartmoor communities but may affect onward connections for passengers travelling from the eastern side of the moor.

Other Devon Changes

Further changes take place across Devon, including within Exmouth and Tiverton, where services 96, 97, 348/349, and 352/353 will all transfer to Dartline. 

Evening and Sunday journeys on the 96 will remain with Stagecoach.

South Molton town services 660, 663S, 855, 856 and 859 will also move to new operators, with Stagecoach tickets not valid after transfer.

Advice for Passengers

Stagecoach says passengers should:

• Check updated timetables before travelling.
• Contact the new operator or Devon Bus for any route no longer run by Stagecoach.
• Note that Stagecoach tickets will not be valid on transferred routes.

Full timetables will be available on the Stagecoach website and app.