MAJOR changes are coming to Stagecoach’s bus services in September, as the 39 and X38 services are axed due to their ‘high operating costs’. 

Both services have been a vital line of connection between Teignbridge’s smaller towns for many years. 

The 39 currently runs between Newton Abbot and Exeter, serving Heathfield, Bovey Tracey, and Chudleigh along the way. 

The X38 currently runs from Plymouth to Exeter, stopping in Ivybridge, South Brent, Buckfastleigh and Ashburton along the way.

These two services will be replaced by a new 38 service, as well as a shortened 39 service.

The 39 service will now run from Bovey Tracey to Newton Abbot only, while the new 38 service will run from Exeter to Ivybridge only. It will also be a less frequent service to the X38.

A Stagecoach spokesperson explained the changes: ‘Our Services X38 and 39 are not currently financially sustainable in their current format, primarily due to their high operating costs. 

‘Following a review of these services, there will be some changes from 3 September 2023 with current Services X38 and 39, replaced by a brand new Service 38, as well as a revised Service 39. 

‘Service 38 will operate hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes between Exeter and Bovey Tracey, via the current Service 39 route. 

‘On Sundays and Public Holidays, there will be seven journeys in each direction between Exeter and Bovey Tracey, with three journeys in each direction between Bovey Tracey and Ivybridge.

‘Every two hours Monday to Saturday daytime, a journey will continue beyond Bovey Tracey to Ivybridge via Drumbridges, Liverton, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh and South Brent and beyond Bovey Tracey to Newton Abbot, as a revised Service 39 with a guaranteed connection. 

‘Service 39 will operate every 30 minutes Monday to Friday daytime and every 60 minutes Saturday daytime between Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot, following the same route as current Service 39.  

‘There will be four journeys in each direction on Service 39 on Sundays and Public Holidays. Every two hours, a Service 39 journey will continue beyond Bovey Tracey to Exeter as new Service 38, with a guaranteed connection.’