A BUS route connecting Holsworthy, Tavistock, and Launceston has run its final service following a decision to reduce the service by Devon County Council.

The extension of the Number 85 service was introduced in April 2023 with the aim of improving the availability of bus route connections between towns and villages in predominantly rural areas.

However, on April 5, the bus travelled along the route for its final time. It comes after Devon County Council took the decision to cancel the service, citing “minimal use”.

The council explained that despite running for the past three years, giving the service time to ‘ generate passenger growth’, the bus would often only carry one or two travellers during its operations.

Despite offering a replacement service between Holsworthy and Tavistock and the 85 continuing to operate between Barnstaple and Holsworthy, the route extension servicing Launceston will no longer be operational.

Speaking to the Post, a spokesperson for Devon County Council said: “The extension of service 85 from Holsworthy was introduced in April 2023 using Bus Service Improvement Plan funding awarded to Devon County Council to provide new links between Holsworthy, Launceston and Tavistock. This meant the service had almost three years to generate passenger growth.”

With service being fully subsidised by the council, the body has said that this low level of passengers made the route unsustainable.

The spokesperson continued: “However despite this, usage on the extended section has remained very low, with most journeys typically carrying only one or two passengers per trip. As the service is fully subsidised by Devon County Council, this level of use is not sustainable.

“Following a review, from April 5, the section between Holsworthy and Tavistock was replaced by new service 84, operated by Stagecoach to a revised timetable. Service 85 will continue to operate primarily between Barnstaple and Holsworthy, with some journeys continuing to Bridgerule.”