North Devon night bus returns for Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton and Ilfracombe

The popular night buses running until the early hours between Barnstaple and Bideford and Barnstaple and Ilfracombe to help revellers get home safely will start up again from this Saturday (May 31).

Following its success last year, North Devon will again have Stagecoach Niterider buses leaving Barnstaple Bus Station from midnight until 4am for Bideford and 12.30am until 3.30am for Ilfracombe.

Devon & Cornwall Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office announced today (Wednesday, May 28) they were working with partners to continue running the service from the end of May until New Year’s Eve.

The aim is to reduce drink and drug-related incidents such as drink/drug driving, enabling people to leave the car at home, but also to ensure late night revellers and especially women and girls can get home in safety.

The Barnstaple to Bideford service will also stop at Bickington, Fremington, Yelland and Instow while the Ilfracombe-bound service will stop at Chivenor, Braunton and Mullacott.

Further afield, new Saturday night routes have been added for Plymouth and Exeter plus a service in Newquay operated by First Bus will run until September.

The various services across the two counties are 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 added: “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.”

For the full Niterider timetables, please visit the Stagecoach website at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/night-buses