THE community bus service connecting Hatherleigh to Okehampton so that passengers can connect to the Exeter Sunday Rover train looks likely to be a hit this summer.

The new bus service, run by Okehampton District Community Transport Group, was trialled on Sunday, August 14. The aim of the service is to demonstrate how the wider community will benefit from the return of a full time Okehampton rail service. The first bus was used by around nine people.

The Sunday Rover service is proving hugely popular this year, with a passenger survey report showing that on almost every Sunday since the service began running, the day’s first train is often running close to or above full capacity. On the vast majority of days, over 150 passengers have been using the rover service both to and from Exeter, with several days breaking the 200 passenger mark.

It is thought that the popularity of the train strengthens the argument of a return of a full-time rail service to Okehampton.

More information on the bus is available in Hatherleigh Visitor Information Centre and Hatherleigh Community Centre.