New Night Bus service for Newton Abbot will connect communities and keep passengers safe

Nights out in Newton Abbot and Torquay just got easier with an extra new affordable night bus which is just the ticket to get locals home safely.

Those who need a convenient way to get home or to work are reminded they can catch the fantastic new Stagecoach service which launches this Saturday (30 May).

The weekend number 12 bus will run on Saturday nights between Newton Abbot and Torquay and will be available until the early hours of Sunday.

Alcohol Licensing Sergeant Dave Flynn at Devon & Cornwall Police explained: “We welcome this extra Saturday night bus service as a great community boost. The affordable and reliable night bus has been shown to reduce anti-social behaviour, drink/drug drive related incidents and violence against women and girls.

“We work with partners to prevent crime and improve safety. I encourage anyone who is enjoying a night out in the Newton Abbot area to consider using the new night bus service on a Saturday night or early hours of Sunday to get them home safely.”

The continued expansion of the successful night bus scheme has led to the introduction of the Newton Abbot night bus, as a result of passenger and community feedback. This new service is solely funded by Torbay Council. 

Night buses were first trialled in 2023 as a Christmas service and then a summer service. More than 28,500 passengers have travelled on them so far and numbers are expected to hit 30,000 by the end of May this year. 

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s cabinet member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “Extending this route into Newton Abbot will help more people get home safely after a night out. It will also benefit people working late into the evening such as shift workers or anyone working in hospitality.  

“A strong night-time economy relies on safe and reliable transport and this night bus service is an important part of that.” 

In Devon, Stagecoach night bus services now run all year round on Saturday nights due to demand. Areas within the scheme include North Devon, Torquay, Plymouth, Exeter and Cranbrook. In Cornwall there is a 16 week summer night bus route in Newquay and Perranporth.   

The night bus initiative is funded by the Devon and Cornwall Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and delivered in partnership with local councils, businesses and emergency services. The scheme aims to reduce drink and drug driving, alcohol related crime and antisocial behaviour, and violence against women and girls, while supporting the night-time economy by helping people get home safely up until 4am. Journeys are also affordable, capped at a maximum of £3 per journey.  

Bus times can be found on the Stagecoach app and via the website.

Night bus timetables can also be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website here: Night Buses | Devon & Cornwall Police