Running from 19 May until 8 September Okehampton’s Summer Sunday train service will have new connecting bus services to Lydford, Brentor, Tavistock and Gunnislake station. This will connect in with trains on the scenic Tamar Valley Line to Calstock and Plymouth.
There will be two round trips each Sunday allowing people to take the train from Exeter and Crediton to make a day trip by public transport to Dartmoor destinations other than Okehampton. Similarly for Plymouth people to do the same via Gunnislake.
The bus connection will also offer the opportunity to do a circular trip around Devon, with travel one way via Dartmoor and the other via the main line through Dawlish with a sea view.
The buses gives passengers a new Sunday option for travelling to Okehampton and Tavistock from Brentfor, Lydford and Mary Tavy.
Travellers holding rail tickets to Okehampton or Gunnislake will be able to buy a flat fare £3.00 Single or Day Return for any journey on the bus.
Funded by CrossCountry via their Community Engagement fund, the service has been organised by Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. Plymouth Citybus are providing the bus with support from Devon County Council.
Richard Burningham, Manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership said: “It is a few years since the old 187 Sunday bus service finished and we were keen to see a bus link between Gunnislake and Okehampton stations restored. Offering a bus transport option to do a Sunday day trip to Lydford Gorge, for example, which the bus goes right past, is a great opportunity to explore the area. We are very grateful to CrossCountry for their help and support.”
Jody Ball, Stakeholder Liaison Manager for CrossCountry said: “We are delighted to be helping the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership provide a new rail/bus link across Dartmoor. Connecting the two lines gives passengers the chance to make a day trip beyond the railway without a car”.