The main railway station in Plymouth is about 15 minutes’ hilly walk from Bretonside bus station where buses from Tavistock terminate. The 86 service runs almost every hour (there are three ‘blank’ hours) during the day and stops by Plymouth railway station. The 83 and 84 services do not pass Plymouth railway station; their nearest stop is at Mutley about 10 minutes walk from the station.

Bus services at Tavistock and Yelverton stop in the same places so it is physically convenient to change from one bus to another. However, poorly connecting timetables – especially when more than one company is involved – will often mean a long period of waiting.

Early in 2003, double bike racks were fitted to buses on the 86 bus route, which parallels the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route. In November 2003, however, Devon County Council and First National had still not agreed whether bus drivers or cyclists should be responsible for securing the bikes to the rack.

The newer buses (such as on the 86 route) have flat easy access floors and space for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The older and smaller buses are difficult to board with pushchairs and impossible to board in a wheelchair.

Tavistock’s taxi rank is five minutes level walk from the bus station.