Sidmouth Town Council Hopper Bus to return for 2020

Sidmouth Town Council are delighted to confirm that the popular Hopper Bus will be running again this Summer from Saturday, 23 May to Sunday, 6 September.

The service will run every day including Folk Week running between Peak Hill, the bus Triangle and the Caravan Sites and Donkey Sanctuary.

Councillor Kelvin Dent, Member with Special responsibility for the Hopper Bus commented: "I am really pleased that the Council has been able to put in place support for a Hopper Bus for 2020.

"This type of service is unique to Sidmouth and take much organisation and above all funding.

"We continue to look at ways of securing the service."

The Council have sounded a note of caution, however. Whilst it has been able to negotiate a reduced cost from the operators, Dartline and despite good passenger usage and a small increase in fares, falling support from businesses in Sidmouth makes it increasingly difficult to justify.

The Council will therefore, through its Tourism and Economy Committee, look at further ways to ensure a future for the service.

The Town Council are extremely grateful for the generous support last year from Richard King of King's Garden Centre.

However, the number of passengers who used the bus to get to the Garden Centre was outweighed by the extra fuel involved and, mindful of the environment, the council has decided to revert to the original route running between Peak Hill, the Bus Triangle and the Caravan Sites and Donkey Sanctuary.