Eight free-travel days are coming to Plymouth

Plymouth residents and visitors can travel free on participating local buses during every Saturday and Sunday in September. The offer runs from Saturday 5 September to Sunday 27 September, with no booking required for eligible journeys starting within the Plymouth city boundary.

A separate information event will take place at Armada Way Piazza in Plymouth city centre on Saturday 12 September, from 10am to 4pm. Bus users, newcomers and anyone considering returning to public transport can meet local partners, ask questions and share their views about services in the city.

The eight dates covered by free travel

The Free bus travel every weekend this September initiative covers four consecutive weekends:

• Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September
• Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September
• Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
• Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September

The concession is available to everyone, rather than being limited to a particular age group or passenger category. That includes residents travelling for work, shopping or social plans, families planning lower-cost days out, students becoming familiar with Plymouth and visitors exploring the city.

The practical benefit is straightforward: passengers can test local bus travel without paying a fare on the covered dates. It also gives people who have not used a bus recently an opportunity to see how the network currently fits their journeys.

Armada Way team will answer bus questions

The Armada Way Piazza event coincides with Catch the Bus Month, a national celebration of bus travel. Representatives from the local partnership will be available between 10am and 4pm on 12 September to explain the initiative, answer questions and hear residents’ views about Plymouth bus services.

Councillor John Stephens, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said the September offer follows free travel for children during August. He described the weekends as a chance for regular passengers, former users and first-time bus travellers to experience the network without paying for travel.

Peter Knight, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said removing weekend fares would make it easier for families, students, commuters and visitors to travel around Plymouth and consider a different way of getting around.

Where the free-travel offer applies

Free journeys are available on participating Plymouth Citybus, Stagecoach South West and Tally Ho services when the journey starts within the Plymouth city boundary. The initiative is funded through government bus improvement funding and delivered by the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership with Plymouth City Council and the three operators.

Two named exclusions apply: Plymouth Citybus Argyle football specials and the Stagecoach Falcon coach service are not included. Passengers whose journeys begin outside the city boundary are also outside the stated eligibility for the offer, even if their destination is in Plymouth.

No advance booking is required. Before travelling, passengers can consult Plymouth City Council’s Ride Free Plymouth information page for the participating services and current offer details; those seeking help in person can visit the Armada Way Piazza team from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 12 September.

Source: Plymouth City Council