Villagers call for better Dartmoor bus routes

Dartmoor residents describe some bus journeys as being either difficult or impossible as they appeal for improvements.

Whether it’s linking remote communities on the moor, or getting to towns or cities to catch a train, if you don’t have a car, travelling across Dartmoor can be a challenge.

Some bus services only run during the summer months – such as the 171 Country Bus Devon, linking Newton Abbot, Moretonhampstead, Postbridge, Two Bridges, Princetown and Tavistock.

There’s even fears that the 171 bus may not run in summer 2027 with one local saying “it tottered on the brink of not running at all in 2026” due to roadworks scaling back the service during summertime.

Speaking about the 171 bus route, Dave Parks said: “Could we be heading back to the dark days when central Dartmoor is inaccessible without a car? Currently there is no reason to think this is not the case. The Dartmoor National Park is one of the jewels in the crown in terms of access to countryside in Devon.

“In these days of climate change, and if Dartmoor is to be accessible to all, it needs this 171 bus service. We need to demand that there is public access for those without a car.”

In regards to getting a bus to or from Dartmoor on other routes, locals highlighted the everyday difficulties.

Kate Butterworth said: "Kids and adults can't get to college/work in Plymouth on time first thing in the morning from Princetown unless they get a ride to Yelverton. Ridiculous."

Kay Rae-Duke said she would “welcome a better bus service from Okehampton” to different areas of the moor as she’s “without transport".

Another local added: "I'd happily get rid of my car if there was reliable and regular public transport, especially to the moors."

Valerie Linda said: “There are not enough buses, it would be great to have regular hoppers between Bovey and Moretonhampstead, Ashburton, Widecombe to Tavistock. At hours and durations that enable realistic travel, walks and visits to shops and return.

“Even a regular service between Moretonhampstead, Lustleigh, Hawkmoor, Bovey, Heathfield, Drumbridges to Newton Abbot. Travel for non-drivers is very little of use (currently).”

She added: “Hopper buses to Hound Tor, Foggintor Quarry and Fingle Bridge be welcomed by many. Good for mental and physical health, walks, exercise – and reduced emissions.”

Barbara Clark pointed out that “there used to be a bus from Tavistock to Exeter over Dartmoor”.

It was a “fantastic ride” which she did two or three times, however, she also said that she was the “only person on it for miles once, so obviously that particular day it was not cost effective”.

Lib Dems Councillor Dan Thomas is Cabinet Member for Highways and he agrees that “we absolutely need more buses”.

He said: “The challenge is a national issue, we need government subsidisation and a joined up strategy to afford to put on more buses. There aren’t enough and they are expensive. It’s frightening when you look at how many buses are paying for themselves, it’s almost all of the bus routes.”

Dan added that on a positive note, the free travel for under-18s (in August) and September’s free weekend travel for all at weekends was a great initiative by the government.

Chris Haigh thinks it’s a “classic supply and demand problem” because a “reliable service” isn’t supplied, “the demand isn't there, apart from in the summer”.

He added: “The Hoppa buses only run over summer as do some of the other cross Dartmoor services, to provide some access for non-motorists, but that's only when there is more demand, and even then that demand isn't high.

“Smaller buses might make some routes more financially viable, but bus services sadly have to make money and it is a vicious circle.”

Chris pointed out that if there’s “no demand” because there’s not enough bus services, there’s then not enough services because there is no demand. If not enough people are using the buses, then bus companies can’t afford to offer the service.

Roger Haworth said: “During the winter when the Haytor Hoppa isn't running we only have one bus a week. When, for whatever reason, I can't use my car, I hitch hike. I am nearly always given a lift by locals as they know there are no buses.”

Another local said it’s a challenge if you want to get anywhere on public transport within a time frame, or without having to change buses multiple times.

But, some of the positive options for getting to, from and around Dartmoor locations via public transport were also pointed out by locals.

Gill Walters said: “I live in Buckland Monachorum and we are very lucky to have a regular 55 bus service come into the village, run by Oakleys coaches. It runs to Tavistock a couple of times a day but mainly to Yelverton where Stagecoach connections, to Plymouth and Tavistock can be found (if you are lucky).”

Alice Rose said: “Tavistock to Princetown bus can access several places or walks from Yelverton with a really frequent bus.”

Peter Caton said: “It’s often forgotten that Dartmoor has two railway stations. I regularly walk from Ivybridge and Okehampton stations. And often meet people walking between the two. More trains stopping at Ivybridge would be good, as would a minibus service linking Ivybridge, Harford and Cornwood.”

One useful resource, the Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks website, lists all bus services on Dartmoor seasonally.

Dave Parks, who created the website said he uses the 172 which goes from Moretonhampstead – Exeter, via Chagford.

Heather Sheppard said: “The 171 bus is wonderful - but only runs in the summer. I get around largely on foot or by bicycle, but access is generally pretty restricted. I can't get to any evening events outside Moretonhampstead, for example.”

A Devon County Council spokesperson gave an update on next year’s 171 service, they said:

“The 171 is a seasonal bus service and provides an important link across Dartmoor during the summer months.

“We have not yet made a decision on whether the service will operate in 2027. As part of that process, we'll review passenger numbers and other information from this year's season before considering the options for next year.

“We are aware that roadworks affected parts of the route this year and we'll take the impact of those disruptions into account.”