Late-night bus services will once again run across Devon and Cornwall as part of efforts to improve safety and reduce crime in town and city centres.
Following successful trials in summer and Christmas 2024, Plymouth Night Bus routes are being extended, including new routes in Plymouth every Saturday night until the end of the year.
Funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and supported by local councils, business groups and transport providers, the scheme aims to give people a safer, more affordable way to get home after a night out. Services will operate until at least New Year’s Eve, with an additional Friday service on 19 December.
In Plymouth, buses will run to Saltash and Tavistock.
Plymouth Night Bus services will operate on:
- 1: Plymouth to Tavistock via Derriford Hospital and Yelverton
- 2: Plymouth to Saltash via Milehouse
The initiative is being delivered in partnership with Stagecoach South West and First Bus, alongside police, councils, business improvement districts, and community organisations.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said the services have already proved successful in reducing antisocial behaviour, adding:
“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.”
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew added that improving night-time transport was particularly important for helping women and girls get home safely.
Tickets are capped at £3 for a single journey. Full timetables are available on the Stagecoach and First Bus websites.
Local organisations such as the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Cornwall Air Ambulance, and Newquay BID have welcomed the scheme as a positive step for the night-time economy and public safety.
Stagecoach, covering Devon – Niterider | Stagecoach
