Stop the Unjust Fare Hikes and Protect Public Transport in Rural Areas

We, the undersigned, call on Stagecoach South West to urgently review all recent bus fare increases across Devon, which are placing an unfair financial burden on families, students, and rural residents who depend on public transport every day.

In July 2025, Stagecoach imposed an 81% fare increase on the Bideford to Great Torrington route up from £3.20 to £5.80 — with no prior warning or public consultation. This caused great distress, particularly for families whose children use the public bus to get to school. This steep rise is part of a wider pattern of fare hikes across the county that are now seriously affecting access to education, work, and essential services.

Outside of the urban zones of Barnstaple, Exeter and Plymouth, post-16 college students are now also expected to pay £1,332 a year (£444 per term- an increase of 83%) just to attend classes. In rural areas like parts of North Devon and Torridge, where no alternative transport exists, these costs are unaffordable and unacceptable. Parents have told us directly how this is causing real stress at the start of the summer holidays, adding to the pressures already facing households during a cost-of-living crisis.

We welcome the recent announcement of new child fare schemes for Stagecoach services in urban zones such as Barnstaple, Exeter, and Plymouth where fares can be as low as £2. However, it is deeply unfair that these lower prices do not apply to those living outside of those boundaries. People in the more rural towns and villages — who often travel further and have fewer transport options — are being punished for their postcode. This postcode penalty must be addressed.

At a time when we need to encourage greater use of public transport to reduce emissions and tackle the climate emergency, rising fares are forcing more people back into cars or isolating those who simply cannot afford to travel. It is simply not morally right that in many circumstances it is now cheaper to drive a car than to take the bus.

We demand that Stagecoach South West:

• Immediately review and reconsider all recent fare increases across the whole of Devon
• Introduce fair, capped fares and concession schemes for schoolchildren and full-time students — not just in the main towns and cities, but county-wide.
• Work with Devon County Council and local communities to create a sustainable and affordable rural transport strategy
• Provide transparency and accountability before implementing future fare changes.

Public transport should be affordable, reliable, and accessible for all — not a source of anxiety or exclusion.

If you agree, please sign this petition and help send a clear message:

Devon deserves fair fares. Rural communities must not be priced out of public transport.

This petition has been set up by Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, cabinet member for Rural Affairs at Devon County Council and supported by the following County Councillors (cross-party support):

Cllr Sara Wilson

Cllr Dermot McGeogh

Cllr Julian Brazil (leader)

Cllr Ed Hill

Cllr Michael Fife Cook

Cllr Paul Hayward

Cllr Frank Biederman

Cllr Jeff Trail

Cllr Denise Bickley

Cllr Heather Horner

Cllr Sue Davies

Cllr Sally Morgan

Cllr Graham Bell

Cllr Caroline Leaver (Chair of Council)

Cllr Nick Hookway

Cllr Richard Keeling

Cllr Alan Connett

Cllr Ed Tyldesley

Cllr Jim Cairney

Cllr Richard Jefferies

Cllr Simon Clist

Cllr Thomas Richardson

Cllr Steve Keable

Cllr Paul Arnott (Deputy Leader)

Cllr Rosie Dawson (Vice-chair of Council)

Cllr Louise Wainwright

Cllr Steve Lodge

Cllr Syed Jusef

Cllr Dan Thomas

Cllr Victor Abbott

Cllr Henry Gent

Cllr James Buczowski

Cllr Cathy Connor

Cllr Neil Stevens

Cllr Richard Hopley

Cllr Jack Eade

Cllr Mark Barry

Cllr Debo Sellis

Cllr James Grainger

Cllr Robin Julian