A £3 night bus linking Torquay with Newton Abbot launches this Saturday, aiming to cut drink driving and late-night crime. Torbay Council, Devon & Cornwall Police and Stagecoach have teamed up for the N12 route, which runs through the early hours of Sunday until 4am.
Police say the extra service will help reduce antisocial behaviour, drug and drink drive incidents, and violence against women and girls. Alcohol Licensing Sergeant Dave Flynn called it “a great community boost”. He added: “The affordable and reliable night bus has been shown to reduce anti-social behaviour, drink/drug drive related incidents and violence against women and girls.”
Fares are capped at £3 per journey, with Torbay Council fully funding the new route. Meanwhile, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner remains the main backer of Devon’s wider night bus network, which has carried more than 28,500 passengers since a Christmas trial in 2023. Nightly demand across the region averages 530 passengers.
Devon’s night buses now operate every Saturday all year on routes serving North Devon, Plymouth, Exeter, Cranbrook and Torquay. Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “It has been incredible to see the service grow from one route over 10 weeks, to 10 routes all year round in Devon.”
Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s cabinet member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said the extension will help more people get home safely after nights out and support late-shift workers in hospitality and other sectors.
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