Service relaunched on 3 September with five ADL Enviro200s in a bespoke livery
Devon County Council and East Devon District Council have joined forces in an arrangement, via the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone, to fund significant enhancements to route 56.
This route covers Exeter St David’s, the City Centre, Met Office, Science Park, Sky Park and Exeter Airport.
The CONNexIONS brand has been adopted in recognition of this innovative partnership and to promote the improved links between key transport hubs and business locations.
All five ADL Enviro200 buses include free WiFi and will feature a bespoke livery design, with each highlighting a different location along the route.
Starting on 3 September, from Monday to Saturday there will be new early morning and evening journeys and a 30-minute frequency during the day on the section of the route between St David’s and the Airport.
Buses will then continue onto Exmouth up to every 60 minutes.
Stagecoach is also introducing new timetables on other East of Exeter and East Devon routes including Exmouth town services and Exeter city services.
Improvements include a circular city route that connects IKEA with the city centre in both directions and more frequent journeys between Pinhoe and the Science Park.
“The evolution of our 56 service into ‘CONNexIONS’ is a fantastic example of what collaborative working can achieve,” said Bob Dennison, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West.
Cllr Ian Thomas, Leader of East Devon District Council, commented: “We’re delighted to provide funding for enhancements to the service for three years.
“It will be a vital link to the rapidly expanding business centres located in the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone.
“The Enterprise Zone provides a range of incentives to support businesses, and more than 10,000 jobs could be created in the Zone, so fast and frequent connections with Exeter and Exmouth are crucial.”
