The #88 Bus

For those who don't know the #88 bus, it runs from Newton Abbot Bus Station to Paignton Bus Station and return via Ashburton and Buckfastleigh, on an hourly service.

This must be one of the friendliest and happiest bus routes on the national network, and  I'd like first to pay tribute to the drivers, who are always very helpful courteous and jolly. Secondly to the passengers - its really great to be able to meet friends, neighbours and electors and have a chat to while away the journey.

This then brings me onto a bug-bear - the time from which you can pensioners can their bus pass. I appreciate, well I would wouldn't I, that savings have to be made, and that the Leader of DCC has been to Downing Street to plead the case for extra finance for concessionary fares so that the books balance - but having become accustomed  to travelling from 0900hrs, the change to 0930hrs has been difficult.

Now the #88 bus comes at about 20 past the hour on its way to Newton Abbot.
So heres the problem, those of us with bus passes who have appointments in Newton Abbot, or elsewhere either before or around 10am hope that this prompt service is delayed arriving in Ashburton until 0931hrs, so that either we do not have to take our cars into town clogging the roads and car parks, or we have to pay for the journey in :)