The Department for Education (DfE) has produced school transport guidelines as it prepares for a full return of students in September, and Devon County Council has been working with schools, colleges and transport operators to plan for this return. Social distancing guidance, which applies to passengers on public transport, will not apply on dedicated school transport which is not open to the general public. This is because the government believes the overall risk to students and young people from coronavirus (COVID-19) is low, they do not mix with the general public on those journeys,...
Stagecoach is helping businesses, the education sector and event organisers to bounce back from Covid-19 with a range of tailored solutions through a ‘one stop shop’ approach to help employers, pupils and customers.
As the UK comes out of lockdown, public transport continues to play a vital role in the country’s recovery ahead. As well as helping to restart the economy, it is vital in bringing normality back to many areas of people’s daily lives.
Covid-19 has brought about many societal changes such as home working, more targeted travel and more flexible working. A...
Stagecoach South West has announced that, in light of the recent government announcement to relax retail restrictions, from 14th June 2020 they will be introducing a major uplift to their services with some of routes returning to their normal timetables. The bus operator has confirmed changes have been made on board their vehicles to enable social distancing to take while travelling with them. To allow passengers to travel safely, some of their seats are blocked off to enable people to sit at least 2 metres away from each other.
Mike Watson, Managing Director of Stagecoach South...
Devon County Council has successfully secured funding to support a project to encourage active business travel as part of efforts to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The grant of almost £80,000 from the Department for Transport Energy Saving Trust eCargo Bike Fund will aim to increase the uptake of eCargo bikes for business travel and business deliveries in Exeter.
The joint project is being led by Devon County Council with Exeter City Council, University of Exeter and the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E), and will build on existing initiatives in the...
A series of temporary measures to support social distancing for walkers and cyclists is being explored by Devon County Council.
It follows the Government’s announcement of a £250 million emergency active travel fund – as the first stage of a £2 billion national investment in walking and cycling.
Although Devon County Council is still awaiting details of the funding, it is actively pursuing a number of possible changes to the local road network to help improve walking and cycling routes.
In considering its proposals, the focus has been on key travel to work...
Stagecoach has announced a new managing director for its bus operations in the South West of England.
Mike Watson has been confirmed as the new Stagecoach South West Managing Director after taking the role on an interim basis in November.
Mike has almost 25 years’ experience of the bus industry and has held a number of senior positions within Stagecoach, including time spent as Managing Director of Stagecoach South West between 2013 and 2015. Mike began his career in 1996 in the service planning department at London Transport Buses and then had roles within Go Ahead and...
One of the region’s transport experts has warned that a ‘cultural shift’ in our attitude towards on-road transport is needed if Devon is to become a net-zero county.
Nik Bowyer is a member of Devon’s Net-Zero Taskforce and Chair of the South West region of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.
The institute represents those who plan, design, build and manage transport and transport infrastructure in Devon and across the UK.
Nik says one of the main challenges of decarbonising Devon is the emphasis that planners and society as a whole have placed...
Stagecoach South West and The Devon General Society commemorated 100 years of bus travel with two historic buses and a modern Stagecoach South West bus recreating the original Service 2 route from Exeter to Torquay.
The journey, on one of the county’s oldest bus routes, took place on Thursday 18 July as part of a year of events celebrating the centenary of bus travel in Devon.
Two preserved Devon General buses and a modern Stagecoach South West bus, with special livery to mark the centenary, took part in the spectacle. Passengers onboard included representatives from...
More than £30 million of major transport infrastructure has been approved by Devon County Council’s Cabinet today (Wednesday 10 April).
The programme of transport schemes aims to deliver infrastructure priorities across the county and continues support for sustainable travel to encourage growth in walking, cycling and public transport.
DevonCounty Council Leader John Hart said: "This is a good news story for Devon as this programme will support economic growth, encourage sustainable transport and help achieve the objectives of the Air Quality Management Plans developed in...
The palletised haulage network presented Pall-Ex South West Limited, from Cullompton, with the Regional Member of the Year – South West award at a prestigious ceremony in the East Midlands, which brought together over 90 haulage firms from across the UK.
Held at De Vere East Midlands Conference Centre, the awards event was hosted by comedian Paddy McGuinness, who shares his hometown of Bolton with Pall-Ex founder Hilary Devey CBE.
The event marked the end of a successful year for Pall-Ex, which saw the firm win a number of new contracts, increase pallet volume, launch new...
