Major Stagecoach bus changes set to affect Dartmoor routes later this month
Stagecoach has announced a large-scale package of bus timetable and route changes across the South West, with revised services affecting communities including Okehampton, Tavistock, Bovey Tracey, and Newton Abbot from the end of August
Passengers across Dartmoor and South Devon are being advised to check their bus timetables before travelling after Stagecoach confirmed a series of route and timetable changes taking effect from Sunday, 30 August.
The changes affect a number of services serving communities including Okehampton, Tavistock, Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh, Newton Abbot and Totnes, with revisions aimed at improving reliability, punctuality and connections.
Stagecoach said the changes have been introduced to "improve reliability and punctuality, respond to changing customer demand, provide new journey opportunities and improve connections between services."
Among the most significant changes for the Dartmoor area is the withdrawal of Service 6A between Exeter and Okehampton, which the company said is "no longer commercially viable".
Devon County Council has amended Dartline Service 66 to provide an alternative.
Passengers using Service 5/5A/5C between Exeter, Crediton, Okehampton and Chulmleigh will see minor timetable changes intended to improve reliability.
There are also changes for Service 6 between Okehampton and Bude.
The route will now be operated using single-decker buses, while a more direct route through Holsworthy and revised timings are expected to improve rail connections at Okehampton.
Service 317 linking Bideford, Great Torrington and Okehampton will receive a revised timetable, with buses between Torrington and Okehampton increasing from every three hours to every two hours.
The service will also offer improved connections with trains at Okehampton Interchange, although it will no longer serve Weare Gifford.
For West Devon, Service 118 between Tavistock and Okehampton has been updated following the opening of Okehampton Interchange station.
Instead of serving the former Okehampton railway station, buses will continue beyond the town centre via Crediton Road and Nexus Way to the new interchange.
Service 84 between Holsworthy and Tavistock will also receive minor timetable changes to improve reliability.
Several routes serving Newton Abbot, Totnes and the southern edge of Dartmoor are also changing.
Passengers using Service 38 between Exeter, Buckfastleigh and Plymouth should note that buses towards Exeter will now depart from Stop A9 at Royal Parade in Plymouth.
Service 39, linking Exeter, Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot, will have revised departure times to improve punctuality.
Some early morning journeys will receive financial support from Devon County Council, while the 6.25am weekday journey from Exeter will begin at Matford Park and Ride instead.
The 6pm weekday journey from Newton Abbot will also terminate there.
Passengers travelling between Plymouth and Totnes on Service 80 will see minor timetable changes to improve reliability and maintain connections with Duchy College services.
Stagecoach says customers affected by route or timetable changes should check the new timetables before travelling, particularly where services have been withdrawn or amended.
All of the changes take effect from Sunday, 30 August, unless otherwise stated.