Stagecoach enhances transport for university students

Stagecoach South West has announced that it has extended its coverage area by including the University of Exeter in its line 4 bus service.

Working in partnership with Great Western Railway and the university itself, Stagecoach has boosted travel options for university students and staff members.

The improved service will extend bus routes to Streatham Campus, adding new connections and travel options for students, staff, and visitors, with links to Exeter St David’s, Honiton Road Park and Ride, and Cranbrook.

The goal is to boost sustainable public transport use, easing congestion in Exeter’s busy central roads.

Stagecoach South West Managing Director Peter Knight said, “The service enhancements illustrate one of many projects that we have worked on in partnership with key stakeholders to offer multi-modal journey opportunities and sustainable transport links.”

Starting from St David’s Railway Station, all journeys from Monday to Saturday will continue to the University of Exeter via St David’s Hill, Hele Road, New North Road, Streatham Drive, The Queen’s Drive, Stocker Road, and North Park Road.

On the return trip, buses will depart from the university and follow the outbound stops, additionally serving Rennes Drive and Prince of Wales Road before resuming their current route from Exeter St David’s. 

Buses will also continue to serve Heavitree Road for connections to St Luke’s Campus.

Service 4 will run every 12 minutes from early morning until late evening, Monday to Saturday. 

On Sundays, buses will start and end at Exeter St David’s, with evening frequency improving from every 40 minutes to every 30 minutes.

Nicholas Reid, Great Western Rail’s Transport Integration Manager, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Stagecoach and welcome this enhancement to their service. We know how popular our rail service to Exeter St Davids is for students. Ensuring onwards transport integration will help provide seamless journeys for students coming back for the new term.” 

Giovanni Currado, Sustainability Manager (Travel and Transport), University of Exeter, said:“We are pleased to work with Stagecoach to offer staff and students accessible, more frequent, and more sustainable travel around Exeter, as well as better connections with Exeter St David’s and between our two campuses in the city. We welcome the increased frequency of service and reduced journey times due to the route taking advantage of the new bus corridor in the city centre”.

The 4 Service enhancement is part of a wider autumn timetable update that sees the launch of a new Exeter City network. 

Stagecoach has invested in additional buses and drivers to increase the frequency of a number of services, as well as the introduction of more coordinated timetables across the city.

You can find more information on the Stagecoach timetable here.