BBC DEVON

Stagecoach South West criticised for ‘unacceptable’ service

Lisa Young September 18, 2025

Lisa YoungSouth West and

Tamsin Melvillein Saltash

BBC A double decker bus is displaying an Not in Service notice in orange lights on the front of it. It is being driven along a street which has parked cars lining it and a woman in an anorak is walking along the street. Above her is a sign reading CORNWALL MORTGAGE CENTRE. — Stagecoach South West said it was working hard to improve the reliability of its service

Bus passengers are calling for action as they face hour-long waits and cancellations on a key route operating between Cornwall and Devon.

Anna Gelderd, MP for South East Cornwall, demanded “urgent action” from Stagecoach South West after “weeks of severe disruption” to the number 2 bus from Saltash to Plymouth.

She said the experiences residents had shared with her had been “unacceptable” and the disruption had affected their education, income and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for the bus company said it understood the recent disruption to the number 2 bus service had been frustrating, adding it was working hard to improve reliability.

John West said he had given up on waiting for the bus when he had a medical appointment and instead caught a taxi

John West is standing in a bus shelter next to a busy road. He is wearing a blue sailor style hat and a blue anorak and has a white beard and moustache with short white hair. He has a serious look on his face. — John West said he had given up on waiting for the bus when he had a medical appointment and instead caught a taxi

Gelderd said residents had complained about buses failing to arrive, long delays and overcrowding – which they said had affected them getting to work, school and health appointments.

Saltash resident John West said he had waited in vain for the bus to get him to a medical scan at Campbell Court in Plymouth.

“We gave up on the number 2 bus”, he said, “and had a taxi and that cost £30.”

Another Saltash resident Pam Kevern said the service had been “really deteriorating”.

“It’s sad but I think half the time the buses don’t seem to turn up and you’re just left hanging about in the cold,” she added.

Anna Gelderd MP said she had written to the bus firm

Anna Gelderd Anna Gelderd is standing outside on a cloudy day with the Tamar and Tamar Bridge behind her. She is smiling slightly and has long blonde hair. She is wearing a navy jacket and a pair of glasses. — Anna Gelderd MP said she had written to the bus firm

Gelderd said she had written to the bus firm and raised her concerns with Saltash Town Council, Cornwall Council, and the government.

The Stagecoach South West spokesperson added: “We understand that recent disruption to Service 2 between Saltash and Plymouth has been frustrating for students, families and commuters, particularly at the start of the academic year when demand is higher and traffic congestion is more noticeable.

“We are working hard to improve reliability over the coming weeks.”

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