Successful ‘night bus’ scheme funded by Commissioner to run again this year

Following the success in the summer & Christmas of 2024, Devon & Cornwall Police & the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office are working with partners to continue running night buses across the two counties, providing seven new routes in addition to the four existing routes from last year.  

Night buses will continue to be available in North Devon and Torquay, plus on new routes in Plymouth and Exeter on Saturday nights until the end of the year.  

Following the success in the summer and Christmas of 2024, Devon & Cornwall Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office are working with partners to continue running night buses across the two counties, providing seven new routes in addition to the four existing routes from last year.  

Night bus services, provided by Stagecoach in Devon and First Bus in Newquay, will operate on Saturday evenings from May throughout 2025 in a bid to reduce drink and drug-related incidents.

The buses will also be available in Devon on Friday, December 19, and New Year’s Eve. 

The North Devon, Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter buses will run between May 31 and New Year’s Eve 2025, and a longer Newquay service until September 6.  

The services have been set up by Devon & Cornwall Police and funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) with support from Devon County Council, North Devon Council, Torridge District Council, Ilfracombe Town Council, Torbay Council, Cornwall Council, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Cornwall Air Ambulance and Newquay BID. 

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.” 

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “With partnership funding and support we have managed to re-launch a tested and successful initiative. The provision of improved night-time transport will ensure people, and particularly women and girls, arrive home safely having enjoyed their evening out with friends.  

“We have seen that this also reduces antisocial behaviour and has a positive impact across our communities. I am pleased to see so many dedicated routes with such a wide reach into our communities”.  

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.” 

Simon Goff, Managing Director at First Bus South said: “We’re proud to be working alongside Devon & Cornwall Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver night bus services in Newquay again this year. Last year’s service was incredibly well received, and we’re excited to see it return and expand. Providing safe, affordable and reliable transport late at night helps keep communities safe and supports the local night time economy.” 

Tickets for the services cost a maximum of £3 for a single journey