Stagecoach SW announce timetable changes across Devon

From Sunday 28th May we are introducing a number of new timetables across our network, focused primarily on the Torbay area, which are predominantly centred around improving the punctuality of our bus services, and a number of new exciting enhancements to our services.

We are excited to be introducing night buses, initially over the summer season, to our popular 12 service, with buses operating hourly until 3am Monday to Saturday nights. Also, in partnership with Torbay Council, a brand-new Saturday timetable will be introduced on Service 13. Plus, our popular open top bus route 122, will be doubled in frequency to every 30 minutes.

A full list of the bus timetables changing on the 28th of May are listed below by area, with any additional changes over and above the punctuality adjustments detailed. Please check the new timetables carefully before traveling, as some departure times may have changed.

Plus, don’t forget, until the end of June all single fares are just £2 or less.

• Service 2 (Exeter – Newton Abbot via Dawlish)

Some lightly used journeys are withdrawn. The majority of Monday to Friday schoolday and school holiday variations are standardised.

• Service 7 (Exeter – Totnes via Newton Abbot)

Journeys on Sundays will additionally serve Matford Park and Ride, to provide consistency with the rest of the week. 

• Service 12 (Newton Abbot – Brixham via Torquay and Paignton)

Buses will continue to run up to every ten minutes, however there are some minor changes to specific journeys. For the summer period, initially later journeys will be introduced on Service 12 Monday to Saturday nights (early hours of Tuesday to Sunday mornings). Buses will operate after midnight until 3am, hourly, for those enjoying a night out in the Bay or needing to travel in the early hours.  Save money on taxis, with all single fares just £2 or less until the end of June 2023.

• Service 13/13C/13D (Torbay Hospital – Brixham)

There are changes introduced to some specific Monday to Friday journeys.

Following working in partnership with Torbay Council, we are pleased to announce that a brand new Saturday timetable will be introduced on Service 13. Buses will operate every hour from Brixham between 0910 and 1810 and from Torbay Hospital between 0810 and 1710.

• Service 18 (Brixham – Kingswear)

The following Monday to Saturday journeys will be withdrawn due to low demand and high operating costs; from Brixham to Kingswear at 0755, 0815 and 1935 and from Kingswear to Brixham at 0813 and 2000. The 1600 Monday to Friday School Holidays and Saturdays journey from Kingswear to Brixham will be revised to depart at 1608 and provide consistency with schooldays.

• Service 22/22A (Dawlish Warren – South Devon College via St Marychurch and Paignton)

The four Service 22A journeys in each direction between St Marychurch and Paignton Monday to Friday and Saturday evenings will be withdrawn as other services are available.  The route of Sunday daytime journeys will be amended, with buses starting and terminating at South Devon College as opposed to Davies Avenue, which will provide improved access to leisure and retail facilities.

• Service 23 (Paignton – South Devon College)

The route of Service 23 will be standardised with all journeys following one consistent route.

Service 23 will operate from Paignton Bus Station to South Devon College via Waddeton Close at all times. This change to the timetable will provide a service to South Devon College from early until late every day, as well as providing journey opportunities to nearby leisure and retail facilities. The Monday to Friday frequency will be adjusted to operate every 40 minutes at peak times and continue to operate every 30 minutes at off-peak times. There are no changes to Saturday and Sunday frequencies. 

• Service 31 (Torquay – Watcombe via Barton)

There are minor changes introduced to some Monday to Saturday journeys.

• Service 35A/35C (Torquay – The Willows via Torbay Hospital)

Service 35 has suffered from some significant punctuality issues in recent months, therefore in addition to making timing adjustments it has been necessary to make a minor change to the route. The route of Service 35A/35C will be amended and will no longer serve Fowey Avenue, with buses operating direct via Exe Hill. This change of route is necessary to ensure a reliable and punctual service can operate.  Four pairs of bus stops will no longer be served by this service as a result of this route change, however, alternative bus stops are available nearby. The evening departure times on Service 35A will be amended to depart 15 minutes later, to provide a regular combined frequency with Service 35C.

The frequency of buses on Saturday morning from start of service until approximately 0830 will be revised to every 60 minutes on each service, with a combined 30 minute frequency applying.

Sunday evening timetable will be amended to ensure departure times are consistent with other days of operation. 

• Service 39 (Exeter – Newton Abbot via Bovey Tracey)

Minor changes are introduced, and the Sunday timetable is reduced from five to four journeys per day to ensure the service remains commercially viable.   

• Service 110 (Torquay – KEVICS) 

0735 journey from Torquay Cary Parade to KEVICS will be re-timed to depart earlier at 0725 to ensure effective use is made of our vehicle resource and that the service remains commercially viable. 1530 journey from KEVICS to Torquay will be re-timed to depart earlier at 1525 to better facilitate the end of the school day and will terminate at Torquay Grammar School.

Upon arrival at Torquay Grammar School the vehicle will continue as Service 32C towards Torquay and passengers may remain on the vehicle from the previous journey.

• Service 120 (Paignton – Kingswear)

There are a number of changes introduced to journeys operating on Monday to Saturdays, please check the timetable carefully before traveling.

• Service 122 (Babbacombe – Devon Bay via Torquay and Paignton)

A new timetable will be introduced, with revised departure times and the frequency is doubled to every 30 minutes daily for the peak summer season. The new timetable is better co-ordinated with Service 22 along the common section of route. 

• Service 271 (Newton Abbot – Widecombe)

Operating under contract to Devon County Council a new service, 271, will resume from Saturday 27 May 2023 and will operate on Saturdays only until Saturday 16 September 2023.  The timetable will provide four journeys per day between Newton Abbot Railway Station and Widecombe via Bovey Tracey and Haytor Vale (outbound) and Manaton (inbound).

• Service FOX

The 1820 Monday to Friday journey will be withdrawn due to low passenger demand. The Saturday frequency is adjusted to every 30 minutes before 0930 and between 1630 and 1835.

Other Service Changes 

Following recent tender rounds by Devon County Council, Stagecoach will commence operation of the following new routes:

• Service 31 (Ilfracombe – Woolacombe – Morthehoe) 

Service 31 between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe on Sundays and Public Holidays, will operate from Sunday 28 May 2023 until Sunday 17 September 2023. The Monday to Saturday timetable will continue to be operated by Taw & Torridge.

• Service 97 (Masey Road – Exmouth Town Centre – The Marles) Starts 5 June 2023 

Service 97 (currently numbered Service 7) within Exmouth will operate up to every 60 minutes Monday to Friday daytime and Saturday morning, with the service serving Masey Road and The Marles.

• Service 173 (Exeter – Moretonhampstead) Starts 5 June 2023

Service 173 between Exeter and Moretonhampstead via Tedburn St Mary and Chagford,  providing up to five journeys per day Monday to Saturday.

• Service 198 (Gunnislake to Princetown)

Working in partnership with Devon County Council and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, Service 198 will operate on Sundays from 28 May 2023 until 24 September 2023. Service 198 will link Gunnislake Railway Station with Tavistock and Princetown, with four journeys per day and times designed to connect in and out of rail services at Gunnislake. Special add-on fares will apply for rail passengers.