Passengers who use the number 2 bus between Mount Batten and the city centre are being urged to support the evening services as much as possible, as they are under threat of being withdrawn.
We have stepped in to offer temporary funding support for a number of journeys that Stagecoach South West says are no longer commercially viable.
These are:
Monday to Friday
- Departures from Mount Batten Pier towards the city centre at 8.30pm, 9.30pm,10.30pm and 11.30pm
- Departures from the city centre towards Mount Batten Pier at 8.01pm (from Sugar Mill), 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and 11.58pm
Saturdays
- Departures from Mount Batten Pier towards the city centre at 8.30pm, 9.30pm,10.30pm and 11.30pm
- Departures from the city centre towards Mount Batten Pier at 8pm (from Sugar Mill), 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and 11.57pm
Sundays and Bank Holidays
- Departures from Mount Batten Pier towards the city centre at 8.30pm, 9.30pm,10.30pm and 11.30pm
- Departures from the city centre towards Mount Batten Pier at 8.10pm (from Sugar Mill), 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and 11.55pm
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “We understand how important this service is to the residents of Hooe, Mount Batten and Turnchapel and how much of an impact withdrawing these evening journeys would have.
“Stagecoach South West had planned to withdraw them from 3 November but we have been able to step in with temporary support until 31 March 2025, demonstrating our commitment to providing services that connect people to key places.
“However, we have to stress that this is being funded by a short-term grant, in the hope that passenger numbers will increase enough for Stagecoach to continue the journeys on a commercial basis. I’d encourage people to use the evening services wherever possible to secure their long-term future.”
The temporary subsidy is being funded by the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan Phase 2 grant, which has also been used to boost the frequency of the service throughout the day between 7am and 7pm.
Stagecoach South West say an additional 35 passengers are needed each evening to ensure the commercial viability of these services. This is around four or five additional passengers per journey.