We needed 'fairer fares' say bus campaigners who're angry over new ticketing zones and services being too full
An online petition has been started as Stagecoach South West says its 'goal is to maintain fairness and simplicity across the network'
Hundreds of people have now signed an online petition calling on Stagecoach to rethink what campaigners are calling 'unfair pricing plans'.
The changes have left people in Dawlish paying more to get to Exeter than passengers from villages further away.
The 'Fair Fares' campaign was started by Dawlish town councillor Alison Foden after she got fed up with being unable to get home to Dawlish after long shifts working at Exeter's R,D & E Hospital.
She said: "How can Dawlish not be included but Olchard near Newton Abbot be included, both 13 miles away from Exeter. Where's the equality, where's the fairness in that."
Some of those who joined the campaign say they also want better provisions along existing routes. Councillor Foden added: "I've been left along with six or seven other people stranded at the hospital bus stop because the single-decker that Stagecoach has sent has been absolutely jam packed - there's no room to get on the bus and so the bus drivers had to refuse to let more people on."
Ms Foden says a colleague of hers who used to catch the bus has now bought a car, reflecting: "She's confirmed to me that she's going to be driving to work because the bus service is so terrible. That's not the way to go, particularly at the hospital where we've got such an issue with car parks as have other major employers in Exeter - and there's just not the car parking facilities."
County Councillor Rosie Dawson, who has joined the campaign, added: "We've also asked if we could start documenting how many people get left behind at bus stops when they're sending single-deckers and buses are missing - we then have people who are refused entry onto the bus because it's not safe to take it over capacity, and there's no way for bus drivers to be documenting that.
"I think you can't say that routes are unsustainable and there isn’t demand if you are not producing or collecting that data to work on those routes, and looking at what improvements you can make for people.”
Local MP Martin Wrigley said: "I appreciate that Staegoach were trying to simplify ticket pricing issues with their ticket sales but the situation with part of Dawlish Warren being included and Dawlish being excluded is simply ridiculous.
"Under Stagecoach South West's new ticketing zones introduced in January 2026, Dawlish is not included within the Exeter ticket zone, but Dawlish Warren is. This means that although Dawlish is less than half a mile away from Dawlish Warren, a return ticket from Dawlish to Exeter would cost £3.50 more than if you boarded the bus at Dawlish Warren.
"These price changes follow the reduction of the Number 2 service from 3 buses per hour to 2 in September 2025. When challenged about this reduction Stagecoach South West have stated that they are unable to increase the frequency of this service."
Cllr Foden has suggested to Stagecoach South West they create an “express” A379 only bus, which would not only benefit commuters and increase passenger numbers, but would also cut down on the total journey time of the current number 2 route, which according to Stagecoach South West is approximately 2 hours.
Mr Wrigley said: "Unfortunately the express service idea was also rebutted. With the new ticketing zones Stagecoach South West has split Dawlish into two zones, which seems hugely unfair for all the people who wish to commute or travel from the centre of Dawlish into Exeter. Creating a two tier pricing structure by excluding Dawlish in this way will do nothing to increase bus usage, it will push more people into cars and on to the roads."
The online petition can be found here
What has the bus firm said?
A spokesperson for Stagecoach South West, said: “When reviewing and updating our fares, we carefully assessed customer travel patterns, service frequency, journey routes, and operational practicality across our network. These changes came into effect on 4th January 2026.
Both Dawlish and Dawlish Warren are included in our Torbay Zone, which offers reduced fares for day, 7-day, and 28-day tickets. However, these locations are outside our Greater Exeter Zone, as they lie more than 10 miles from Exeter, beyond the radius we apply consistently for that zone.
The zone boundaries reflect the geography of our network and the connectivity of each area. Our goal is to maintain fairness and simplicity across the network, while supporting sustainable service delivery.
We understand that fare changes can raise questions locally, and we continue to engage with elected representatives to ensure community concerns are considered. Our priority is to provide a clear, fair, and financially sustainable fare system that serves the greatest number of customers.”