Stagecoach South West has announced the launch of a new trial run of Nightbus services to carry passengers in and out of Devon towns and cities every Saturday from 31 May.
The new services are part of a wider pilot programme to introduce Nightbus options across Exeter, Torbay, Plymouth and North Devon in collaboration with both the Devon and Cornwall Police and Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Operating every Saturday from 00:00 and running until 04:00, the service was recently trialled in North Devon and Torquay, both of which experienced a strong response from passengers.
The trial is set to run until Saturday 20 December 2025, with additional services set to operate on Friday 19 December 2025 (to the early hours of Saturday 20 December 2025) and Wednesday 31 December 2025 (early hours of Thursday 1 January 2026).
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.
The Nightbus services include the following journeys:
- 1 – Plymouth to Tavistock via Derriford Hospital and Yelverton
- 1A – Exeter to Cullompton via Broadclyst and Bradninch
- 2 – Exeter to Dawlish via Exminster and Starcross
- 2 – Plymouth to Saltash via Milehouse
- 5 – Exeter to Crediton via Newton St Cyres
- 12 – Torquay to Brixham via Paignton
- 21 – Barnstaple to Bideford via Yelland/
- 21B – Barnstaple to Ilfracombe via Braunton
- 22 – St Marychurch to South Devon College via Paignton
- 57 – Exeter to Exmouth via Topsham
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: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.
Full timetables can be found on the Stagecoach website.
