Changes to Commercial Services
Under the Transport Act 1985 (Deregulation), bus companies are free to operate services which they consider to be commercially viable. The company decides which type of vehicle to provide, which route to follow and which stops to serve, how frequent the service will run and how much to charge in fares. They do not need to seek authority to start, alter or withdraw part or all of such services, nor is there any authority to oblige them to run services or sections of service, which they believe to be unprofitable. They are, however, required to give notice of their intentions both to the Traffic Commissioner (part of the Government Department for Transport) and to the County Council.
Where a bus company is unable or unwilling to run a service on a commercial basis, the County Council has the power to secure the provision of services by allocating financial support, which in effect makes up the shortfall between the service revenue and the cost of operation. These "socially necessary" services are operated by bus companies under contract to the County Council and the Council, not the bus company, determines the type of vehicle to be operated, the route, stopping places, timetable and fares.
To view all current notifications received from bus companies, please select Bus Registration search.
Forthcoming Scheduled Re-tenders
Under the Transport Act 1985, County Council contracts which have been the subject of tender are permitted to run for a maximum of five years. The table below sets out the tendering programme for the next 12 months. This may be subject to change in response to circumstances beyond the County Council's control).
Contract ref |
Route |
Date current contract expires |
|---|---|---|
TN/360 |
Bridford/Christow - Exeter |
September 2008 |
MD/355 |
Exeter to Tiverton via Silverton and Thorverton |
September 2008 |
SH/612 |
Mothecombe - Lee Mill |
September 2008 |
If you would like to receive the results of any current Devon County Council local bus service tenders or further information on any service changes mentioned above, either -
Print off the online enquiry form on the Devonbus homepage and send it by post to
Transport Co-ordination Service,
Matford Offices,
County Hall,
Topsham Road,
Exeter,
Devon
EX2 4QW,
OR
Complete the online enquiry form on the Devonbus homepage and press the send button.
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