Free Sunday bus travel is being offered in North Devon this June to promote public transport and encourage leisure travel.
Residents and visitors across North Devon will be able to benefit from the offer, which starts this Sunday (2 June) on all services in and out of Barnstaple. It will also be available on Sunday 9 June and Sunday 16 June.
The free Sunday travel is being delivered through the DevonBus Partnership on all Sunday bus services in North Devon, in conjunction with operators Stagecoach and Filers Travel. It is supported through Devon County Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan using DfT funding.
The offer is designed to encourage more people to use the bus for leisure to explore their local area, visit family and friends and enjoy the scenic North Devon coast without the worry of transport costs.
Stagecoach South West Managing Director, Peter Knight, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to North Devon residents thanks to funding from Devon County Council. We recognise the importance of highlighting the benefits of bus travel for both the environment and local economy. By providing free Sunday travel, we hope to reduce road congestion, lower carbon emissions, and support local businesses by making it easier for residents to travel.”
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “This is a great example of how working together through the DevonBus Partnership is helping people in the county. It’s an opportunity for people living in or visiting North Devon to try the free Sunday bus services for a day out. Hopefully, people will realise the benefits of bus travel and it will help increase bus patronage locally. Combined with the £2 fare for bus journeys on other days or free travel with a concessionary bus pass, there’s never been a better time to catch the bus.”
Andrew Draper, Transport Manager at Filer's Travel, said: “With free Sunday bus travel throughout June, this is a fantastic opportunity for both residents and visitors alike to get out and explore all the wonderful sights and attractions that North Devon has to offer. We are proud to be working alongside Devon County Council and our fellow bus operators in encouraging everyone to enjoy our region by sustainable public transport.”
The routes included in this offer cover a wide area across North Devon and detailed information about the specific routes and timetables can be found on the Stagecoach South West website.
This offer in partnership with Devon County Council is part of the joint long-standing commitment to providing reliable and affordable services whilst working together to enhance the travel experience for passengers and support sustainable travel solutions.
For anyone travelling by bus Monday to Saturday, or elsewhere in Devon, all bus journeys are still capped at a £2 single fare until December 2024.