To celebrate 100 years of bus travel in Devon, Stagecoach South West and the Devon General Society will make a commemorative bus journey from Exeter to Torquay on Thursday (18 July).
The journey, on one of the country’s oldest bus routes, will be made with two preserved Devon General buses and a modern Stagecoach South West bus with special livery.
Bob Dennison, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, says: “Devon General is one of the best loved and remembered public transport operators in the country.
“It is fantastic to be part of the centenary celebrations and to see the development of bus travel over the past 100 years.”
The buses will depart Exeter Central Station at 1000hrs and start their journey travelling down Queen Street and the lower part of Exeter High Street, before heading to Exminster to pick up representatives from Westbank, the charity which is being supported by sales of the centenary book, 100 years of Buses in Devon by Pat Avery.
The route continues through Dawlish, arriving at Teignmouth seafront where there will be a 30-minute break for people to come and see the historic buses.
The buses will then travel along the A381 through Newton Abbot, completing the historic route in Torquay where a celebratory reception will take place at Torre Abbey.
Paul Jenkins of the Devon General Society says: “Over the years the colourful red and cream Devon General buses provided essential public transport for locals and holiday-makers, as well as employment for generations of Devon people.
“We are looking forward to recreating this historic route for members of the public to see and enjoy.”
