BUS company Stagecoach South West and Devon County Council have been shortlisted for a national award for excellence.

The Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership programme is a finalist under the Partnership for Excellence: The Peter Huntley Memorial Award category.

This national recognition celebrates the success of the Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership, a collaboration between Devon County Council, Stagecoach South West, smaller local operators, and key stakeholders including the NHS and education providers, working together to deliver a better, more sustainable, and customer-focused bus network for Devon.

Launched in November 2022, the partnership was formed in response to the National Bus Strategy and post-pandemic challenges, uniting public and private partners behind a shared vision for a greener and more connected future for transport in Devon.

Together, the partnership has delivered: more than £17 million in investment through the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP); new and enhanced bus routes supporting communities and boosting patronage; bus priority measures, including new lanes, bus gates, and real-time traffic management integration; the creation of DevonBus, a shared brand symbolising reliability and unified service delivery and funding for 60 new zero-emission electric buses, secured through the DfT’s ZEBRA2 programme

This collaboration has embedded “bus-first” thinking across local planning, highways and traffic management, delivering tangible benefits for passengers, communities, and the environment.

Peter Knight, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said: ‘We’re thrilled that the Devon Bus Enhanced Partnership has been recognised at a national level.

‘This nomination reflects the strength of our collaboration with Devon County Council and our shared commitment to delivering reliable, sustainable and accessible bus services for communities across the county.’

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, added: ‘I’m pleased that this partnership is among the finalists at this year’s UK Bus Awards.

‘It shows what’s possible when we work together.

‘We have a shared ambition to encourage more people onto buses, and our Bus Service Improvement Plan funding is enabling us to improve services and infrastructure as well as investing in greener buses to reduce carbon emissions.

‘By combining Devon County Council’s strategic leadership with the operational expertise of our bus operators, we’re helping to deliver real benefits for passengers, communities and the environment.’

Don McIntosh, Managing Director of Tally Ho! Coaches, who represents the smaller bus operators in Devon on the Board commented: ‘This has been a true partnership, where the perspectives of smaller operators have been genuinely valued and are clearly reflected in the significant improvements achieved.’

The winners of the UK Bus Awards 2025 will be announced later this year.