Devon buses

County advice overview

All daily bus services in Devon are operated by accessible, low-floor buses. Most services which run less frequently are also accessible.

The major commercial bus company is Stagecoach South West, which includes accessible buses within its fleet. 

You are advised to check the Stagecoach timetable to make sure your service is accessible for your needs, prior to travel.

Additional accessible bus services are operated by Plymouth City Bus, First Bus and Country Bus. 

Visit the Devon County Council website for further information on accessible buses.

Key tips

One of your options, if you are no longer driving, is to use the bus. You can plan ahead by finding route information and timetables online or by phoning your local authority or bus company. You may also wish to consider:

• When it is dark, it can be difficult for drivers to see someone waiting at a stop.  Wearing high-vis or bright clothing can help.  
• When flagging down the bus, you can use the light from your phone screen (not the torch) to make it easier for the driver to see that you wish to board.
• Taking your medication with you, in case of delays which may prevent you from taking medication at the normal allocated time. 
• Downloading the bus company app to your phone. You can track your bus and see when it is getting close. This may help to reduce the time you spend waiting at the bus stop.  
• The national Next Buses website can help you check when the next bus is due and locate your nearest stop.  
• You may wish to let someone know your travel plans and when you expect to be at your destination. Many mobile phones have an emergency contact function. You can also download an app such as Hollie Guard to alert trusted contacts if you feel unsafe.

Operators

Stagecoach South West

Stagecoach South West
Telephone: 0345 810 1000

Plymouth City Bus

Operates across Plymouth
Telephone: 01752 662271

Country Bus

Country Bus mainly operates in Newton Abbot with limited services in Exeter, Teignmouth, Totnes, Brixham and Paignton. 
Telephone: 01626 833664

Filers Travel

Fliers Travel bus services connect the towns and villages between North Devon to Barnstaple.
Telephone: 01271 863819

Help with cost

Devon Companion Bus Pass

The Devon Companion Bus Pass provides free travel for a person travelling with a disabled person who is using their National Bus Pass in the Devon County Council area.

You can apply for a Companion Bus Pass if you:

• already have a Devon County Council-issued National Bus Pass
• are aged 11 years or over
• have a severe disability and would find it extremely difficult to access local bus services without the assistance of a travelling companion

You can apply for a Companion Bus Pass on the Devon County Council website.

National Bus Pass

National Bus Passes are available for older people, who have reached state pension age and are resident in Devon, and to people with certain disabilities. The bus pass will entitle you to free off-peak travel on bus services throughout England.

You can apply for a bus pass on the Devon County Council website.

Special assistance 

In Devon, extra support is available to travel by bus if you have reduced mobility or a disability, including a hidden disability.

Stagecoach provide Journey Assistance Cards if you need extra help using the bus.  The cards carry a simple message or instruction which you can discreetly show to the driver such as ‘Please face me, I lip read.’ Apply for a Journey Assistance card via the Stagecoach website.

Extra Help to Travel Cards and Safe Journey Cards are produced by First Bus and can be used to let your driver know if you need any help with your journey. They can be downloaded for free on the First Bus website:

• Extra Help to Travel Cards
• Safe Journey Cards

Passport schemes 

For more information regarding bus passes, visit TRAVELDEVON.

Travelling with mobility equipment 

All local bus services should now provide wheelchair-accessible buses with low floors and a ramp which the driver can extend to help you get on and off.

There will also be a dedicated area for a passenger to sit in a wheelchair.

Travelling with a scooter

Bus companies have different rules about the size and type of scooters that they will allow on board. 

In general, scooters should be no more than 600mm wide and 1000mm long and be able to turn in a space of 1200mm. Always contact your local bus company before travelling, to check the rules in your area and to find out if your scooter will be accepted.

Operators such as Stagecoach and First Bus follow the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) code for the use and acceptance of mobility scooters on low-floor buses. Users of mobility scooters should obtain prior approval from operators and a standard ‘permit for travel’ prior to their scooter being carried on any bus.

Further information regarding mobility scooters can be found on individual bus operator websites:

• Stagecoach
• First Bus
• Plymouth City Bus

Assistance dogs

All recognised guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed to travel for free on buses.

Routes and timetable links

Planning is an essential part of your journey. If you need an accessible bus, it is important to check with the provider that it is accessible prior to travel. Most buses are, but not all. 

It may be useful to purchase your ticket before you travel online. It is worth remembering that most tickets bought online are not refundable if you are unable to make your journey.

Buses can only stop at marked bus stops, so you need to be sure where you are getting off in advance. If you are not sure, ask the driver to let you know when your stop is coming up. You may need to consider if the nearest bus stop is accessible if you are travelling with a scooter or wheelchair.

You can plan journeys on Individual bus company websites:

• Stagecoach
• Plymouth City Bus
• Country Bus
• Filers Travel

Additional links:

Travel Devon provides information on public transport across Devon.

Traveline is a partnership of transport companies, local authorities and passenger groups which have come together to bring you routes and times for all travel in Great Britain by bus, rail, coach and ferry and to provide it in as many different ways as possible. You can call Traveline South West on 08712002233.