Stagecoach South West - Fleet News & Discussion

[embers25]

Given that the Falcon is no longer on domestic hours, why don't they skip stops and speed it up. After all, the only reason some of the stops are in place is simply because of the domestic hours rules. It's such a shame as all this is going to do is kill off Falcon as people will switch to alternative bus operators because they are so much faster. I do think it's worth mentioning as well that all of this extra time is only for a small section of the route. Bristol to Taunton is roughly the same time, as is South Brent to Plymouth. This extra hour comes into play between Taunton and South Brent. I'd like to see them introduce a scheme similar to Ember has done which is making some of the 'just off the motorway' stops, pre book only. That would speed things up massively as the bus wouldn't be on and off the motorway all the time. Wellington for example is 10 minutes diversion.

I think it has to get to a point where they give up the Falcon. I just wish companies would admit that they don't care about routes any more (As proven by the dismal promotion) and just withdraw it, rather than try to kill off the demand so no one else takes the route on rather than let someone else take the route on and try to make a success of it. Any company partaking in anti competitive measure such as killing off local bus demand so that no one else takes on the route should also be banned.


A single driver can't even do 1 trip end to end as it's 4h 33 Bristol to Plymouth. You'd have to double man it or change drivers in somewhere between Exeter and South Brent (or Bristol Airport, Bristol could do feeder drivers perhaps just doing Airport-Bristol?). At night they could do a round trip as the journey time is showing as 4h 10 so taking into account the stops at bus stops (which don't count towards driving time), this should be just about enough for drivers to do a round trip, as long as they have 45 mins off in Bristol.


That's all well and good but what about on the good days, do you want to be sitting around at random motorway junctions for 5-10 minutes or do you want to be on your way?

One driver does work the full route with an hour break at Bristol currently (the driver changes en route at the airport became such an issue they've got rid of them and they are single manned.

The X38 is now almost as quick as Falcon between Exeter and Plymouth!

All its stops bar Wellington are only a couple of mins delay at most and all are well used except Wellington though I wondered if Wellington is S106 funded somehow? Even Lee Mill is quite well used as Gold doesn't stop there and South Brent is a handy interchange with Gold which is also used although I don't see why if no-one is getting off/on they can't just u-turn on the first roundabout and go back onto the A38 without having to loop around both roundabouts.

I could see adding 15-30 mins between Drumbridges and Taunton in summer but an hour is mad and no extra time at all is needed overnight. Most Falcons leave 5-10 mins late from Plymouth now and are back on time by Exeter.

In summer ether will also be a likely capacity issue with local travel between Churchill and Bristol meaning Airport passengers can't get on. Even now they evening peak ones are leaving almost full southbound from the Airport then around 15 get off between there and Churchill.

 

[markymark2000]

This new timetable looks wrong to me, on my overnight Falcon trips we kept pretty much to time on the current timetable. I've occasionally experienced daytime delays caused by issues on the M5 but even taking that into account the new timetable still looks wrong to me with way too much extra time on certain sections.

Megabus is selling tickets and their times don't match that timetable. Could be a Megabus error though. Who knows who's error it is.

One driver does work the full route with an hour break at Bristol currently (the driver changes en route at the airport became such an issue they've got rid of them and they are single manned.

One driver does it now but based off that timetable on Traveline, it wouldn't be possible for a driver to do that without risking their licence. The only way that it would work is by switching the tacho to other work at all of the stops and at traffic lights. It would be a very iffy area giving a driver who has 4h30 drive time, a route which takes 4h 33. The authorities would have them for it.

All its stops bar Wellington are only a couple of mins delay at most and all are well used

It may only be a couple of minutes but that is a couple of minutes PER STOP. It adds up.

although I don't see why if no-one is getting off/on they can't just u-turn on the first roundabout and go back onto the A38 without having to loop around both roundabouts.

Not really the point that though. People sometimes press the bell a bit late and by doing what you say, that could mean them ending up quite far from their actual destation.

In summer ether will also be a likely capacity issue with local travel between Churchill and Bristol meaning Airport passengers can't get on. Even now they evening peak ones are leaving almost full southbound from the Airport then around 15 get off between there and Churchill.

Clearly something needs doing about that then as that isn't any way to run a long distance coach, having it stop constantly to let people off who are travelling very locally.

 

[Peter Philips]

Megabus is selling tickets and their times don't match that timetable. Could be a Megabus error though. Who knows who's error it is.

My money is on the Traveline one being wrong, it would be totally ridiculous to add that much padding into the timetable!

All its stops bar Wellington are only a couple of mins delay at most and all are well used except Wellington though I wondered if Wellington is S106 funded somehow?

We dropped four nightclub-goers off at Wellington (from Exeter) in the middle of the night recently as well as picking two workers up. That detour with its various roundabouts does seem longer winded than most.

 

[WibbleWobble]

That's all well and good but what about on the good days, do you want to be sitting around at random motorway junctions for 5-10 minutes or do you want to be on your way?

As it is still a registered bus service, the Traffic Commissioners won't care about that. If the service is running regularly late, then the expectation is that the timetable should account for conditions normally experienced. That's why First has traditionally added so much running time to the X51/X53 service along the A35.

My money is on the Traveline one being wrong, it would be totally ridiculous to add that much padding into the timetable!

Given Stagecoach uses Electronic Bus Service Registration, the data Traveline receives is taken from Stagecoach's TransXchange file.

 

[markymark2000]

As it is still a registered bus service, the Traffic Commissioners won't care about that. If the service is running regularly late, then the expectation is that the timetable should account for conditions normally experienced. That's why First has traditionally added so much running time to the X51/X53 service along the A35.

It is registered end to end now though so isn't able to do domestic driving hours rules. They cancelled all of the portions and so the 'registered route' is over 50km and therefore must come under EU rules and drivers must run with a tachograph. Traffic Commissioners would be very upset if a company was giving a driver a 4h 33 run when they legally only have 4h30 driving time. That is a company relying on the driver to ensure that his tacho isn't kept on 'drive'. No driver should be under such pressure to keep their tacho off 'drive' because the company has given them a duty which to all intents and purposes, means them breaking the driving hours rules and has no room for any issues. Driver casually stopping near Bedminster to have a 45 break simply on the basis that their tacho didn't record the fact they were loading luggage for a few minutes and stopped at traffic lights in all for a few minutes (and the few minutes would make the difference). That would have them up against the traffic commissioner!

 

[M803UYA]

I think it has to get to a point where they give up the Falcon. I just wish companies would admit that they don't care about routes any more (As proven by the dismal promotion) and just withdraw it, rather than try to kill off the demand so no one else takes the route on rather than let someone else take the route on and try to make a success of it. Any company partaking in anti competitive measure such as killing off local bus demand so that no one else takes on the route should also be banned.

A single driver can't even do 1 trip end to end as it's 4h 33 Bristol to Plymouth. You'd have to double man it or change drivers in somewhere between Exeter and South Brent (or Bristol Airport, Bristol could do feeder drivers perhaps just doing Airport-Bristol?). At night they could do a round trip as the journey time is showing as 4h 10 so taking into account the stops at bus stops (which don't count towards driving time), this should be just about enough for drivers to do a round trip, as long as they have 45 mins off in Bristol.

The coaches used on Falcon are now 7 years old, so theoretically due for replacement with new examples. It will be interesting to see if the company places an order for replacement vehicles or continues to run the present vehicles, accepting a lesser level of reliability as the vehicles become older.

In terms of the 'driving time' - not all the time on the journey will count as driving time under EU hours regulations. So, any digital tachograph printout will clearly show time stood at stops (the cross hammers symbol is other work and is what the tachograph defaults to when stopped, even at traffic lights). The printout at the end of the day will give a total number for driving time and this will be how it's counted, not on the end to end journey time. The true figure would be around 4h15 driving time when the 'stops' are totalled up. Without driving the route I cannot say what the total would be, but I'd be surprised if it was over that. I'd be happy to scan in digital printout (with personal information omitted!) should you wish to see it.

Domestic driving hours doesn't account for time stopped - besides the layover time at the start/end of the journey. The 5h30 is counted end to end, less the stood time. Legally you can go up to 7h45 on domestic using cumulative stand time as your break- but it's slightly immoral to schedule that way..... And few do!

 

[markymark2000]

In terms of the 'driving time' - not all the time on the journey will count as driving time under EU hours regulations. So, any digital tachograph printout will clearly show time stood at stops (the cross hammers symbol is other work and is what the tachograph defaults to when stopped, even at traffic lights). The printout at the end of the day will give a total number for driving time and this will be how it's counted, not on the end to end journey time. The true figure would be around 4h15 driving time when the 'stops' are totalled up. Without driving the route I cannot say what the total would be, but I'd be surprised if it was over that. I'd be happy to scan in digital printout (with personal information omitted!) should you wish to see it.

Based purely off the Traveline timetable though, there is no stand time officially in there and so it is reliant on the fact the driver stops to load enough baggage or the bus is sat in standstill traffic not very slow moving traffic etc. It's worth stating that it depends which machine is used as to whether it will go back to crosshammers. I know that some aren't the best at switching to crosshammers. Even based off 4h15, that isn't a lot of leeway for error. Traffic becomes slightly worse than they plan for, you become stuck. You can't even argue the infringement (with a printout and explanation) as 'unexpected traffic' really as the DVSA and Traffic Commissioner can then argue that the company hasn't given you enough buffer space for unexpected traffic. Based off the current timetable though, if it happens somewhat irregularly that the traffic is bad, you can reasonably argue that the company intended for the service to be done much quicker and beyond all reasonable doubt, enough buffer time was there (gives potential for delays of upto 75 minutes).

I think think while legally, they could get away with it if the delays aren't as bad, they are opening their drivers up to a lot of infringements and potentially stuck passengers mid route and I think the DVSA and Traffic Commissioner would not take lightly to this being the case, especially if it leads to excessive amounts of infringements or fatal incident, they would clamp down on it pretty harshly.

 

[MarkC]

Some changes to Stagecoach services in Plymouth coming through on VOSA. Gold and X38 will operate through Sherford in and out of city but I am puzzled by Service 1/1a which states start point Plymouth / Sherford end point Tavistock/ George Park and Ride via Derriford. Any ideas how Sherford can get bolted on to this route?

 

[didbygraham]

that does seem an odd one! I guess we will need to wait for full details to come through. Quite a few of their timetables are changing in April with many appearing on Traveline but yet to come though on VOSA and clearly some staring to come through on VOSA but not yet on Traveline! I can understand why a link between Sherford and Derriford / George P&R would be useful though. The 1A seems to be an additional route number so presumably thats the bit that goes to Sherford?

 

[Peter Philips]

I can understand why a link between Sherford and Derriford / George P&R would be useful though. The 1A seems to be an additional route number so presumably thats the bit that goes to Sherford?

That's what I would guess as well with main 1 continuing Tavistock-Royal Parade every 20min & new 1A George Park & Ride-Royal Parade-Sherford every 20min combining every 10min George P+R-Royal Parade. Presumably the local 2 group would no longer serve Sherford (particularly if half-hourly Gold & occasional X38 will also serve the new town on top of the new Devon County Council contracted Citybus Plymouth-Ivybridge 20)?

 

[didbygraham]

There is a registration change for the 2's from the same date and Sherford is no longer listed on that one so you may be right. No timetable posted for the 2s yet.

 

[GusB]

I will remind everyone again that you should post your sources; if you're referring to service registrations or cancellations on VOSA for example, you should post the link and copy and paste the details in quote tags.

 

[DaveHarries]

That's what I would guess as well with main 1 continuing Tavistock-Royal Parade every 20min & new 1A George Park & Ride-Royal Parade-Sherford every 20min combining every 10min George P+R-Royal Parade. Presumably the local 2 group would no longer serve Sherford (particularly if half-hourly Gold & occasional X38 will also serve the new town on top of the new Devon County Council contracted Citybus Plymouth-Ivybridge 20)?

There is a registration change for the 2's from the same date and Sherford is no longer listed on that one so you may be right. No timetable posted for the 2s yet.

I wonder if the 2A to Sherford will get dropped with the 1A, X38s and Gold taking its place.

Meanwhile one or two changes also look likely for Exeter services: new timetables are on Traveline for Services 4/4A with different departure times (eg. 0530 journey on Service 4 from St. Davids to Cranbrook now a Service 4A) on both routes. Also evening journeys on Service 4 no longer serving St. Davids Station (but starting from the City Centre instead) and two later journeys from Exeter City Centre to Cranbrook (0037 & 0137) and a return from Cranbrook to Exeter City Centre (0059). Lastly the 4A will cover Silverdown Office Park which shortens the journey time to the Airport by a minute or two. New TT on TravelineSW: http://nationaljourneyplanner.trave...td3_contractorMacro=&line=swe:3304A: :H:y10:2

Also, for Exeter City Services there are route and / or timetable changes for all Exeter city routes (new timetables on TravelineSW) as well as Services 9, 9A, 96, 99E. The new GOLD and X38 timetables are also there.

Dave

 

[MarkC]

I am guessing the 2a will be Saltash to Plymouth city only. 2 will be as is now, Saltash- city - Mount Batten. 1a will replace 2a Sherford- Elburton-Plymstock-city-Mutley-Derriford-George Park and Ride. Gold will provide fast route Sherford to city along billacombe road (not via Plymstock Broadway). This would increase Sherford to 5 buses per hour ( 1a x 3 plus Gold x 2). 1 to Tavistock remains every 20 mins which in conjunction with new 1a will retain 10 min frequency George-Derriford-Mutley-city?

 

[padbus]

Meanwhile one or two changes also look likely for Exeter services: new timetables are on Traveline for Services 4/4A with different departure times (eg. 0530 journey on Service 4 from St. Davids to Cranbrook now a Service 4A) on both routes. Also evening journeys on Service 4 no longer serving St. Davids Station (but starting from the City Centre instead) and two later journeys from Exeter City Centre to Cranbrook (0037 & 0137) and a return from Cranbrook to Exeter City Centre (0059). Lastly the 4A will cover Silverdown Office Park which shortens the journey time to the Airport by a minute or two. New TT on TravelineSW: http://nationaljourneyplanner.travelinesw.com/swe-ttb/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?deleteAssignedStops_ttb=1&command=direct&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false&type_ttb=any&language=en&sessionID=0&requestID=0&itdLPxx_template=tableResults&coordOutputFormat=WGS84[dd.ddddd]&outputFormat=0&std3_commonMacro=ttb&std3_contractorMacro=&line=swe:3304A: :H:y10:2

Also, for Exeter City Services there are route and / or timetable changes for all Exeter city routes (new timetables on TravelineSW) as well as Services 9, 9A, 96, 99E. The new GOLD and X38 timetables are also there.

Dave

A Stagecoach leaflet was delivered with the post yesterday "Introducing a brand new cross city connection". This relates to Exeter service 4/4A and has maps, a summary timetable and fares information. It is a shame, therefore, to hear that the service is to be changed so soon. The fares information in the leaflet has been overtaken by recent events so the standard single fare for most journeys is shown as £3 instead of the £2 special offer. The cost of a DayRider is £4.20 but ten can be bought for the price of 7 which, with a 12 month validity, is good value at £2.98 (according the leaflet) a day.

I hope the excellent timetable booklet for Exeter area services will be reissued when the changes take place. When I called in at the bus station testerday, there were still plenty of the Exeter booklets in stock but none of the other Devon County Council booklets for other parts of the county. However, these are due to be reissued from 1 April.

Stagecoach were very quick to update the departure lists at bus stops after the last changes but the bus stops flags still carry the old route numbers. If they cannot be updated they should, at least, be removed.

 

[MarkC]

Timetables on Travelline now. Gold and X38 via Sherford and Billacombe Road to Plymouth. 1a replaces 2a from Sherford to citycenre via Elburton and Plymstock Broadway. Once in Plymouth citycenre 1a continues every 20 mins to Derriford and George Junction via Mutley. Service 1 remains every 20 mins Plymouth to Tavistock which combined with 1a maintain 10 min frequency between Citycenre and Derriford/George Junction.

2 is Saltash to Mount batten every 30 mins with 2a mainly operating between Saltash and citycenre only. 2 and 2a combined give 15 min frequency between Saltash Fore Street and Plymouth citycenre

 

[didbygraham]

will be interesting to see how the Sherford section affects the reliability of the service between City Centre and Derriford / George. I can see it being an issue but hopefully there is enough leeway built in to avoid too many issues!

 

[thameslink2000]

South West Timetables

www.stagecoachbus.com

Timetable changes across the South West from Sunday 2nd April​

From Sunday 2nd April we will be introducing a number of timetable changes across our network, which are predominantly centred around improving the punctuality of our bus services.

We want to make sure that your bus arrives at your stop at the time you’re expecting it.

Over the last few months, we’ve analysed the data from our specialist Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) software which uses real-time updates from onboard tracking systems to inform the new timetables we’re introducing.

We’ve undertaken this review to provide robust new timetables, which reflect post-pandemic traffic congestion and demand patterns.

In addition to the above, we are also introducing a couple of new services, new links and increased frequencies in parts of Exeter, Exmouth and Plymouth. Plus, our popular open toppers will return for the Summer season, connecting you to a variety of attractions across the region.



A full list of the bus timetables changing on the 2nd of April are listed below by area, with any additional changes over and above the punctuality adjustments detailed. Please check the new timetables carefully as some departure times may have changed.

Exeter City​

Service A (Alphington - City Centre)

A minor change to the route in the City Centre is introduced, with buses starting and terminating at the Bus Station and no longer serving the Odeon bus stop on Sidwell Street.

The Monday to Saturday evening frequency will be reduced from every 30 minutes to every 60 minutes, with the timetable co-ordinated with Service P between the City Centre and St Thomas where possible. There are no changes to the daytime frequency of buses.



Service B (Science Park – Exminster via City Centre)

Following a review of passenger demand and in anticipation of the opening of the new railway station at Marsh Barton, a small number of morning and evening journeys Monday to Friday will no longer operate between Exminster and Teignmouth. Passengers can change buses to route 2 for onward connections to or from Teignmouth. The new timetable will offer additional frequency and capacity at peak times between the Science Park and Exminster via City Centre, with a small number of additional journeys added to the Monday to Friday timetable at the start and end of the day.

An enhanced Sunday and Public Holiday timetable is also introduced with journeys extended to and from the Science Park (journeys currently only operate between Exminster and the City Centre).

Where possible, a co-ordinated spacing of departures between Services B and I will apply between Whipton and the City Centre.



Service E/E1/E2 (Exwick – Beacon Heath / Pinhoe via City Centre)

The daily evening and Sunday and Public Holiday timetable has been re-designed with Services E1 and E2 between Pinhoe and Exwick, providing a 60 minute frequency over the common section of route. This means the frequency of buses during the evening and all day on Sunday and Public Holidays will be reduced between Beacon Heath and Exwick to better reflect passenger demand. At these times, journeys on both Services E1 and E2 will serve Lancelot Road and Pinhoe in both directions, ensuring the current level of service is maintained.



In Exwick, the terminus of Services E1 and E2 has moved from Kinnerton Way to Iveagh Court, therefore passengers will no longer need wait on buses mid loop. Additionally, the connection between Litchfield Road and Thatched House is restored in both directions following passenger feedback.

Some Monday to Friday and Saturday early morning journeys will serve both Lancelot Road and Pinhoe.



Service F (Cowley Bridge – Summerway via City Centre)

Some departure times are amended to accommodate reliability and punctuality changes, with separate timetables operating Monday to Friday and Saturday to reflect varying traffic congestion. There are no changes to the frequency of buses or number of journeys.



Service H (Exeter St David’s – Digby)

Separate timetables will apply Monday to Friday and Saturday to reflect varying traffic congestion with no changes to the frequency of buses. An additional and earlier first journey will be introduced at 0700 from Digby to Exeter St David’s on Monday to Friday.



Service I/J (City Centre – Digby)

In Digby, buses will continue to serve IKEA, however, will instead terminate at Tesco. There are a number of minor changes to the timetable, especially with early morning journeys, where all journeys will now operate the full route and provide additional journey opportunities for passengers. To improve journey planning, the evening timetable is standardised across all days of operation.



Service P (Crossmead – Pennsylvania via City Centre)

To ensure a reliable and punctual service can operate at peak times, changes are introduced to departure times resulting in slightly increased gaps between journeys at these times.

Separate timetables will apply Monday to Friday and Saturday to reflect varying traffic congestion and passenger demand.

Evening journeys that currently terminate in Pennsylvania will be extended into the City Centre, which allows passengers to travel around the full Pennsylvania loop or into the City Centre.



Service R/S (Wonford and Thornpark Rise Circular)

Evening and Sunday and Public Holiday journeys which serve the RD&E will operate a revised route via Woodwater Lane and Quarry Park Road to Quarry Lane before resuming the normal route at Broadfields. This change follows passenger feedback and provides an alternative to Service H, which does not operate at these times.



Service Green (Matford Park & Ride – Sowton Park & Ride via City Centre)

In anticipation of the opening of the new railway station at Marsh Barton, there will be a minor change to the route of the Green, which will facilitate connections with rail services towards Exmouth and Paignton. Buses will operate from via Grace Road Central and will no longer serve two bus stops – one of Alphin Brook Road and one of Trusham Road, however, new alternative bus stops on Grace Road Central will be introduced.

Exeter Surrounding Areas​

Service 1 (Exeter – Cullompton / Tiverton)

On Monday to Saturday some additional journeys are introduced in the early morning from Exeter to Cullompton and early evening from Cullompton to Exeter.



Service 4/4A (Exeter St David’s – Cranbrook or Exeter Airport via City Centre)

Following significant changes and the launch of the new service at the end of October 2022, we have identified issues with service reliability due to traffic congestion. In order to ensure that buses run to time we have invested an additional vehicle into the Monday to Saturday schedule.

Route 4 evening journeys will no longer serve the section of route between Exeter St David’s and the City Centre, however, Service 4A will continue to serve this section of route. There will be an amendment to the 4A route in the Exeter Airport area, with buses operating a one way loop via Long Lane, Silverdown Office Park, Fair Oak Close and B3184. This will provide a number of new direct links and journey opportunities, including to the Future Skills Centre and the hotel.



Service 5 (Exeter – Crediton)

To better reflect passenger demand, the Sunday and Public Holiday frequency will be reduced from every 60 minutes to every 90 minutes, however there will be two additional and later journeys, departing Exeter at 2030 and 2200 and Crediton at 2105 and 2235.



Service 6A/6 (Exeter – Okehampton / Okehampton - Bude)

Minor changes to the timetable to improve punctuality.



Service 9/9A (Exeter – Honiton / Seaton)

The Monday to Friday 1600 departure from Exeter, currently terminating at Sidbury, is extended to Seaton. On Sunday and Public Holidays some additional journeys are introduced during the early evening.



NEW Service X30 (Exeter – Seaton)

Following a successful tender award by Devon County Council, a new Service X30 will be introduced. The service will operate between Exeter and Seaton via Exeter College Technology Centre, Exeter Science Park and Honiton Monday to Friday, with three journeys in each direction. This new service is designed to provide new direct links for both commuters working at the Science Park and leisure travel.



Service 55 (Exeter – Tiverton)

Changes to the timetable improve connections between Services 55 and 346 at Tiverton Bus Station.

An additional journey is introduced at 0545 Monday to Saturday from Exeter to Tiverton. The 0645 Monday to Friday journey from Tiverton to Exeter will be withdrawn, however, an additional journey on Service 355 will depart Tiverton at 0634.

The 0545 Saturday journey from Tiverton to Exeter is withdrawn due to low demand.

There are some minor changes to the early evening timetable on Monday to Saturday.



Service 56E (Exmouth Local Service)

All journeys on Service 56E will be re-numbered Service 96, to provide consistency with the daytime service.



Service 57 (Exeter – Brixington via Topsham and Exmouth)

The number of buses between Exeter and Exmouth are doubled with the Monday to Saturday daytime frequency increased from every 30 minutes up to every 15 minutes, plus a number of additional journeys are introduced during the early morning and evening.

The small number of journeys that terminate in Brixington part way round the route will now complete the full loop to maximise journey opportunities.



Service 58 (Exeter – Exmouth)

Monday to Friday off-peak journeys will now be operated with financial support from Devon County Council. The current 1123 journey from Exmouth to Exeter is re-timed to depart at 1130 and will no longer serve Brixington. The current 1735 journey from Exeter to Exmouth is re-timed to depart at 1750, to ensure an on-time departure.



Service 95 (Exmouth – Sandy Bay)

The timetable is enhanced for the Summer with the frequency increased to every 30 minutes and the route operated with open top double decker buses. Buses will also resume operation on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

For passengers wishing to travel to and from Sandy Bay during the evening, Service 99E will be amended slightly to serve World of Country Life, which is a very short walk from Sandy Bay.



Service 96 (Exmouth – Lympstone)

An additional journey will operate Monday to Saturday at 1810 from Lympstone to Exmouth.

Journeys that currently operate as Service 56E will be re-numbered Service 96 and therefore the Service 96 timetable will include evening and Sunday / Public Holiday journeys between the town centre and Bryon Way.



Service 99E (Brixington – Littleham via Exmouth)

All evening journeys will additionally serve World of Country Life, to provide an opportunity to travel to and from Sandy Bay, during hours that Service 95 is not operating.

There are no changes to Sunday and Public Holiday daytime journeys.



Service 222 (Dawlish Warren – Teignmouth)

Service 222 will resume for the summer season and will operate Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and school holidays between 2 April 2023 and 2 September 2023.

This service does not operate on weekdays during school terms.



Service 351 (Tiverton – Rackenford Meadow)

While there are no changes to the route, there are some changes to the timetable of Service 351.

Monday to Friday the number of journeys will increase from six to 9 per day, with earlier and later journeys introduced. Departure times are amended facilitate connections with Service 373 to and from Cullompton. The Saturday timetable will be removed due to very low demand.



Service 355 (Exeter - Tiverton)

The 0656 Monday to Saturday journey from Silverton to Exeter will be extended to start from Tiverton Bus Station at 0634.



School services 970/971/976 to St Peters School

As previously published, due to declining passenger numbers and increased costs, these services will be withdrawn at the end of the Spring term. Passengers will be able to use utilising our extensive network of services across Exeter to travel to and from St Peter’s School, however, this may require a change of bus.

North Devon Area​

Service 9 (Barnstaple Town Service – Bradiford, North Devon District Hospital, Bishops Tawton)

Alongside punctuality changes, Service 9 will be re-numbered to Service 29 to avoid service number clashes across the network. There are no changes to the route.



Service 10/10A (Barnstaple Town Service – Gorwell Circular)

A number of departure times are revised to allow buses more time to complete journeys.



Service 11A/11C (Barnstaple Town Service – Whiddon Valley)

Alongside punctuality changes, a number of departure times are revised to allow buses more time to complete journeys.



Service 12A/12C (Barnstaple Town Service – Tower View and Woodville)

Service 12A/12C will be re-numbered to Service 62A/62C to avoid service number clashes across the network. There are no changes to the route.



Service 19 (North Devon District Hospital to Roundswell via Town Centre)

Monday to Saturday evening journeys to and from Roundswell will follow the standard daytime route and additionally serve Sainsburys. The frequency on Saturday morning until early afternoon is reduced from every 30 minutes to every 60 minutes. The Sunday and Public Holiday frequency between Barnstaple Bus Station and North Devon District Hospital is revised to every 60 minutes



Service 21/21A (Ilfracombe to Westward Ho! / Appledore via Barnstaple and Bideford)

Service 21C (Barnstaple to Croyde Bay / Georgeham via Braunton)

To coincide with the start of the summer season, the timetable for Service 21/21A and 21C will be enhanced between 2 April 2023 and 2 September 2023. Monday to Friday daytime, Service 21 will operate every 30 minutes between Ilfracombe and Westward Ho! and Service 21A will operate every 30 minutes between Barnstaple and Appledore. This will provide an enhanced 30 minute frequency to Ilfracombe, Westward Ho! and Appledore, as well as a 15 minute frequency between Barnstaple and Northam.

Service 21C will be enhanced to operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime between Barnstaple and Croyde Bay, with one journey every two hours continuing to Georgeham.

Journeys continuing to Georgeham will not serve West Meadow Road in Braunton.

Saturday daytime, Services 21/21A combined will provide a 30 minute frequency between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple, a 15 minute frequency between Barnstaple and Bideford, a 30 minute frequency to Northam and then a 60 minute frequency to both Westward Ho! and Appledore.

Combined with Service 21C, a 15 minute frequency will operate between Braunton and Barnstaple.

On Sunday and Public Holidays, Ilfracombe, Westward Ho! and Appledore will each be served every 60 minutes, with a combined 30 minute frequency between Barnstaple and Northam. The 21C timetable will be reinstated and buses will operate every 60 minutes during the main part of the day. The majority of journeys operating between Barnstaple and Croyde Bay will be operated by open top double decker vehicles, whereas journeys between Barnstaple and Georgeham will be operated by single decker vehicles. Combined with Service 21C, a 30 minute frequency will operate between Braunton and Barnstaple.

During the evening each day of the week, Ilfracombe, Westward Ho! and Appledore will each be served every 60 minutes, with a combined 30 minute frequency between Barnstaple and Northam. For some journeys that involve travelling across Barnstaple in the evening, a change of bus may be required and the timetable should be checked for further details.



Service 71 (Barnstaple to Great Torrington via Newton Tracey)

Following a review of capacity requirements on Service 71 with Devon County Council, there are some minor changes to the timetable.

0815 Monday to Friday College Days journey from Torrington to Petroc will be withdrawn, however, alternative Service 71 (College Holidays and Saturdays) and Service 72 (College Days) journeys will continue to operate at the same times. The 1720 Monday to Friday and Saturday journey from Torrington to Barnstaple will depart five minutes later at 1725.

The 1645 Monday to Friday College Days journey from Petroc to Torringotn will be withdrawn, however, an alternative journey operates at 1635 from Barnstaple (1643 at Petroc) to Torrington.



Service 72 (Barnstaple to Shebbear via Newton Tracey and Great Torrington)

Following a review of capacity requirements on Service 72 with Devon County Council, there are some minor changes to the timetable. The 1635 Monday to Friday College Days journey from Barnstaple to Shebbear will be withdrawn, however, there will continue to be a journey on Service 71 at 1635 from Barnstaple to Torrington.



Service 75 (Londonderry Farm to Great Torrington via Bideford)

Alongside reliability improvements, the extension beyond Bideford Quay to Morrisons will be removed, however, other services will continue to provide this link. Bus stopping arrangements at Bideford Quay are simplified and departure times from Londonderry Farm are earlier in the majority of cases. The terminal point in Great Torrington will be moved from Torrington School to Dartington Fields. The Monday to Friday Schoolday departures from Torrington School are changed to 1520 to better reflect the school finishing time and will operate directly to Torrington School and not serve Burwood Estate.



Service 85 (Barnstaple – Holsworthy - Tavistock)

Following working in partnership with Devon County Council, the Service 85 timetable will be enhanced from 2 April 2023. Service 85 will be extended beyond Holsworthy to Tavistock via Launceston, providing a number of new journey opportunities. The new timetable, operating Monday to Friday and Saturday, provides up to five journeys per day in each direction.



Service 155 (Barnstaple to South Molton)

Changes are introduced to the departure times from Pottington to allow additional time at Barnstaple Bus Station. Barnstaple Railway Station will be additionally served on the 0727 Monday to Friday College Days journey from North Molton. An additional early evening journey is introduced from South Molton to Barnstaple at 2002 Monday to Saturdays, facilitating a connection via the last Service 346 arrival into South Molton. The 0745 Monday to Friday journey from Pottington to South Molton Community College is revised to 0735 to facilitate an on-time arrival at the college.



Service 185 (Bude to Holsworthy)

Service 185, which contains one journey in each direction Monday to Saturday will be withdrawn as a result of changes to Service 85.



Service 317 (Bideford to Okehampton)

The 0605 Monday to Friday and Saturday journey from Great Torrington to Okehampton will be extended to start from Bideford 0543, providing an early first journey opportunity.



Service 346 (South Molton to Tiverton)

There are some minor changes to early evening departure times, which are designed to facilitate improved connections with Service 55 at Tiverton.



Very minor changes are also introduced to school services 815/821 (Park School) 903/904/921 (Pilton Community College) and 819/919 (Atlantic Academy)

Plymouth Area​

Service 1 (Plymouth to Tavistock via Derriford Hospital and George Park and Ride)

Service 1 between Plymouth and Tavistock will continue to operate every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, with a 60 minute frequency on Sunday and Public Holidays.

Journeys that currently operate between George Park and Ride and Plymouth City Centre will be extended to Sherford, following the current route of Service 2A between the City Centre and Sherford and will be re-numbered as new Service 1A.



NEW Service 1A (Sherford to George Park and Ride via City Centre and Derriford Hospital)

The introduction of Service 1A will increase the frequency of buses between Sherford and the City Centre from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes, providing an additional journey opportunity every hour and a new direct link between Sherford and Derriford Hospital. Up to six buses per hour will be provided between Sherford and the City Centre with Service 1A and the changes to the GOLD and X38.

Service 1A will operate every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime between Sherford and George Park and Ride via the City Centre and Derriford Hospital and during the evening and on Sunday and Public Holidays, every 60 minutes between Sherford and the City Centre only.

Services 1 and 1A combined will continue to provide a service up to every 10 minutes between the City Centre and George Park and Ride via Derriford Hospital. The new service will replace short journeys on Service 1 between Plymouth City Centre and George Park and Ride and Service 2/2A between Plymouth City Centre and Sherford.



Service X1 (Plymouth / DHS Schools to Tavistock)

The current duplicate bus operating alongside the morning journey will be withdrawn due to insufficient demand for two vehicles. The afternoon will now start from DHS Boys and the departure time is amended to operate 20 minutes earlier at 1535 and will operate earlier throughout.



Service 2 (Saltash to Mount Batten via City Centre)

Service 2 will continue to operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes in the evening and on Sunday and Public Holidays between Mount Batten and Saltash via City Centre.



Service 2A (Saltash to Sherford via City Centre)

Service 2A will be revised to operate between the City Centre and Saltash only, operating every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes during the evening and on Sunday and Public Holidays. The current section of route between Sherford and the City Centre will be served by new Service 1A, which will provide an enhanced level of service.



Service 4/4A/4B/4C (City Centre to Plymstock via Saltram Meadow)

Changes are introduced to the route of Services 4A and 4B, designed to reduce delays caused by inconsiderate parking and unsuitable roads. In Plymstock, Service 4A and 4B will operate a more direct routes, the 4A via Mount Batten Way and no longer serving Stanborough Road, Dunstone Drive and Under Lane. Whilst the 4B will operate via Broadway East, Dunstone Drive and Springfield Road and no longer serving Southernway and Stentaway Drive. In addition, Service 4B will no longer serve Nightingale Close due to extremely low passenger demand.



Service 52 (Plympton to Derriford Hospital)

To coincide with the opening of the Forder Valley Link Road, the route of Service 52 will be amended from 2 April 2023. Service 52 will serve Coypool Park and Ride and then operate via the Forder Valley Link Road to Derriford Hospital and will therefore no longer serve Leigham and Estover. This route change will provide a new direct link between Coypool Park and Ride and Derriford Hospital.

Some departure times are amended to facilitate the above route change and to avoid congestion at Coypool Park and Ride.



Service X38 (Plymouth to Exeter via Buckfastleigh)

The route within Plymouth will be amended to operate via Elburton and Sherford using Billacombe Road, Elburton Road and Hercules Road, and no longer operating via the A374. The new route will provide a number of new journey opportunities.

Service X38 will additionally serve Matford Park and Ride in Exeter, which follows requests from passengers and provides a number of new journey opportunities.



Service 200 (City Centre to Coypool Park and Ride)

Minor changes to the timetable to improve punctuality.





Service GOLD (Plymouth to Paignton via Totnes)

The route within Plymouth will be amended to operate via Elburton and Sherford using Billacombe Road, Elburton Road and Hercules Road, and no longer operating via the A374. The new route will provide a number of new journey opportunities. Following a review of demand for evening journeys, some Monday to Friday journeys (2110 from Plymouth to Paignton, 2210 from Plymouth to Totnes and 2245 from Paignton to Plymouth) will be withdrawn, however, these journeys will continue to operate on a Saturday evening.

Dartmouth​

Service 90 (Dartmouth to Townstall)

Minor changes to the timetable to improve punctuality.



Service 91 (Dartmouth Park and Ride) – 25 March 2023

Service resumes for the 2023 season from Saturday 25 March 2023 and will operate until Sunday 29 October 2023. Buses operates every 10 minutes during school holidays and every 20 minutes during school terms and operates 7 days per week.



Service 92 (Dartmouth to Totnes)

Minor changes to the timetable to improve punctuality.

 

[RELL6L]

Some interesting and positive changes here.
New X30 Exeter - Honiton - Seaton
Doubling of the 57 back to every 15 minutes between Exeter and Exmouth
Doubling of the 95 in Exmouth with open toppers
21/A/C increased around Barnstaple, every 30 minutes to Croyde Bay with some open toppers but only every 2 hours to Georgeham with single deckers (why?)
Extension of the 85 from Holsworthy to Launceston and Tavistock - ambitious - but Devon paying for it.
I thought Devon were short of money? How about a few quid to keep the Dartmoor Explorer going between April and July?
Sherford changes as already discussed

Nothing on Torbay area yet - will that follow? I imagine the 122 will resume in the season and I expect the 12 will slow down due to the extra traffic.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

From personal observations:
I don’t think it’s been reported on here that coaches operating on the Falcon service now carry prominent Megabus branding on top of their yellow version of the livery.

 

[MarkC]

From personal observations:
I don’t think it’s been reported on here that coaches operating on the Falcon service now carry prominent Megabus branding on top of their yellow version of the livery.

I hope that doesn't mean it is just going to become a Megabus route! I feel with the livery change to the awful school bus yellow, Stagecoach are almost trying to kill the Falcon although I really can not think why!!

 

[M803UYA]

I hope that doesn't mean it is just going to become a Megabus route! I feel with the livery change to the awful school bus yellow, Stagecoach are almost trying to kill the Falcon although I really can not think why!!

The coaches used on the route are 2015 models. They're now over 7 years old. This is around the time the group would be looking to replace them with new vehicles. I would surmise that the business case for 'new' vehicles might not be there - otherwise they'd have been delivered or ordered. Other parts of the group get new vehicles every few years for their best performing services so that the other buses are cascaded elsewhere in the company/group.

Putting it under megabus might help with that, as it's a part of the group regularly receiving new vehicles. The back office functions are taken care of by them.

If you were being entirely cynical, you can see how Stagecoach is trying to ensure the service is no longer viable through continual changes to the timetable, the introduction of unreliable services and a worsening level of reliability from older coaches going forwards. These coaches as they age will require more maintenance than when they were new as compnents wear out. I can see a complete withdrawal of the route in a few years from now. Stagecoach South West has a lot of issues at present with service delivery - their recent visit to the traffic commissioners resulted in them offering free travel in place of a fine for non compliant operation of local bus services.

 

[markymark2000]

Putting it under megabus might help with that, as it's a part of the group regularly receiving new vehicles. The back office functions are taken care of by them.

If you were being entirely cynical, you can see how Stagecoach is trying to ensure the service is no longer viable through continual changes to the timetable, the introduction of unreliable services and a worsening level of reliability from older coaches going forwards. These coaches as they age will require more maintenance than when they were new as compnents wear out. I can see a complete withdrawal of the route in a few years from now. Stagecoach South West has a lot of issues at present with service delivery - their recent visit to the traffic commissioners resulted in them offering free travel in place of a fine for non compliant operation of local bus services.

I think the only issue with it becoming a proper Megabus service is that walk up fares are then no longer possible. Given Megabus is now mostly owned by ComfortDelGo group, English Citylink may be a good brand for it? Citylink being a CDG brand and Irish and Scottish Citylink permit walk up fares.

 

[Peter Philips]

I think the only issue with it becoming a proper Megabus service is that walk up fares are then no longer possible. Given Megabus is now mostly owned by ComfortDelGo group, English Citylink may be a good brand for it? Citylink being a CDG brand and Irish and Scottish Citylink permit walk up fares.

And many passengers buy walk up fares which are often cheaper, particularly the discounted ones for under 25s / over 60s or for groups. Only certain journeys may be booked via Megabus with many shorter trips made buying tickets from the driver.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Falcon suffers from bad timekeeping in the summer due to traffic congestion, and keeps having more and more calling points added - North Petherton is the latest. It is getting to the point where it might as well travel on the old A38 the whole way. 3h 40m Plymouth to Bristol City Centre isn't competitive, and it is a miserable grind past Churchill and the Airport. It does seem to be attracting some intermediate local traffic, however, so maybe that's where the focus should be.

 

[Simon75]

Yes your correct, Wikipedia source says its owned by Scottish Citylink (Stagecoach/ComfortDelGo)

I think the only issue with it becoming a proper Megabus service is that walk up fares are then no longer possible. Given Megabus is now mostly owned by ComfortDelGo group, English Citylink may be a good brand for it? Citylink being a CDG brand and Irish and Scottish Citylink permit walk up fares.

 

[embers25]

Falcon suffers from bad timekeeping in the summer due to traffic congestion, and keeps having more and more calling points added - North Petherton is the latest. It is getting to the point where it might as well travel on the old A38 the whole way. 3h 40m Plymouth to Bristol City Centre isn't competitive, and it is a miserable grind past Churchill and the Airport. It does seem to be attracting some intermediate local traffic, however, so maybe that's where the focus should be.

North Petherton isn't showing anywhere on the latest timetable that allegedly starts on 27th March. I say allegedly as the change has not been publicised anywhere and Megabus are still selling tickets in April on the existing timetable which is 1 hr quicker. The 'long grind' past the Airport is where Falcon makes almost all its money as whilst Bristol provides handy onward megabus connections, its main function is to serve the airport. Also, as it is the main bus service (only bus service in some bits) it has generated significant local travel from the A38 into Bristol.
The new clearer branding makes sense as firstly its now a Megabus service not a stagecoach one (it is run under contract by Stagecoach to Megabus) and secondly because people abroad often got confused about whether Falcon was their megabus service and the small side stickers were not enough. In my experience bar Wellington all stops are well used, even Lee Mill as it s the fastest and cheapest bus to Plymouth when the £2 fare isn't in place. Wellington I assume is section 106 funded by the new estate there.

 

[markymark2000]

The 'long grind' past the Airport is where Falcon makes almost all its money as whilst Bristol provides handy onward megabus connections, its main function is to serve the airport.

Could that money making part be reduced perhaps now that Megabus is going to be running more direct services to the Airport from the end of this month. Only 1 or 2 per day but it could kickstart more journeys.

 

[embers25]

Could that money making part be reduced perhaps now that Megabus is going to be running more direct services to the Airport from the end of this month. Only 1 or 2 per day but it could kickstart more journeys.

The two new services appear to only be two Birmingham - Bristol coaches extended to the airport and not further south and so they won't affect Falcon much at all.

 

[padbus]

North Petherton isn't showing anywhere on the latest timetable that allegedly starts on 27th March. I say allegedly as the change has not been publicised anywhere and Megabus are still selling tickets in April on the existing timetable which is 1 hr quicker. The 'long grind' past the Airport is where Falcon makes almost all its money as whilst Bristol provides handy onward megabus connections, its main function is to serve the airport. Also, as it is the main bus service (only bus service in some bits) it has generated significant local travel from the A38 into Bristol.
The new clearer branding makes sense as firstly its now a Megabus service not a stagecoach one (it is run under contract by Stagecoach to Megabus) and secondly because people abroad often got confused about whether Falcon was their megabus service and the small side stickers were not enough. In my experience bar Wellington all stops are well used, even Lee Mill as it s the fastest and cheapest bus to Plymouth when the £2 fare isn't in place. Wellington I assume is section 106 funded by the new estate there.

For me, living on the eastern edge of Exeter, the Falcon is the quickest way for me to get to Plymouth.