New extended bus service to Exeter Quayside
A new trial weekend bus service to Exeter’s Quayside is set to begin early next month.
As part of a six-month trial, the H service will stop at the Quayside on Friday and Saturday evenings between 7pm and 11pm and on Sundays from 8:30am and 11pm. The trial service will begin on Friday 6 July.
The extended service is being funded by the City Council, the Environment Agency, Devon County Council and the Exeter Quay and Canal Trust, who believe the trial will result in more people visiting the area.
Stagecoach agreed to trial the extension following calls from the City Council. Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture and Cllr Luke Sills, Member Champion for Young People, campaigned for the extended service.
Cllr Sutton said: “It’s been a particularly challenging few years for the businesses and residents on the Quay with work on the Flood Defence Scheme. We appreciate how vital these works are but also recognise how disruptive they have been.”
Cllr Sills added: “Summer is the perfect time to spend down at the waterside. With late summer evenings it makes sense to allow people to spend longer down at the Quay and enjoy the location and all it has to offer in terms of pubs, restaurants, shops and activities. It will be great to have a full day’s bus service to the Quay on Sundays.”
Alan Williamson, Chair of Exeter Quay and Canal Trust, said: “We are happy to support improved access to the Quay to the benefit of the traders, many of whom are our tenants.”
Bob Dennison, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said: “We’ve listened to the calls for an extended H service and I look forward to evaluating its success during the six month trial.”
Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Transport, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this initiative and hope people will give the extended service a go and enjoy the Quay at the weekends.”
Richard Cox, Project Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “The majority of works on the Quay have now been completed. We would like to thank the public and businesses down on the Quay for their patience and understanding throughout the works.
“The Flood Defence Scheme across the city has not been without challenges but we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and the completed works will protect homes and businesses around the river for years to come.”
To find out more about the service and to download a timetable go to www.stagecoachbus.com
