I am keen to promote the use of our local buses, not only for environmental reasons, but also because if more people use them, then hopefully it will mean we’re less likely to lose this vital service. More people travelling by bus saves on fuel and unclogs the lanes from unnecessary traffic. Also, if you are over 60 you qualify for a free bus pass for travel after 9.30 Monday to Friday (there is a small fee otherwise) and all day at weekends.
I wonder if local residents are aware that there are eight buses a day functioning on the 55-route, a circular between Yelverton, Crapstone, Milton Combe, and Buckland Monachorum, and some go on to Whitchurch and Tavistock. Another bus services Meavy, Walkhampton and Dousland in similar fashion. It’s possible, for instance to catch the bus from Buckland to Yelverton at 08.50 and catch the bus home again at 9.50, the same applies to 13.20 and 14.20 - plenty of time to get around the Co-op! Other buses allow time to go for coffee or lunch in Yelverton. You can also go straight through to Tavistock and have a couple of hours there before returning on the local bus. It is what is known as a ‘hail and stop’ service which means you can wave it down at any ‘safe’ point on the route and I have found all the drivers to be friendly and helpful.
We are also fortunate in having a number of other transport services available in the area such as Tavistock Country Bus, Tavistock Ring and Ride and the services provided by TASS and Yelvercare. Our local bus services are alive and thriving at the moment but we need to support them to keep them running.
Pauline Mclaughlin, Crapstone