DARTMOUTH’S park and ride is safe for the next five years.

Last year, the service cost the tax payer £40,000 a year. This year, with a new timetable, the service has become completely self-sufficient, according to South Hams Council.

The council said that by prioritising the service for when it is really needed, it had reduced costs and saved the subsidy paid to keep the buses running.

The changes mean a new contract has been awarded to Stagecoach and the service can look forward to a secure future.

A council-run pilot scheme was put in place last year with a more frequent timetable during school holidays and a slightly reduced service when demand was low.

Buses operated every 20 minutes during school terms and every 10 minutes during school holidays. Residents and visitors could also board a Stagecoach bus back to the park and ride site after the service finished for the evening.

A council spokesman said: ‘When the scheme was trialled it was positively received by residents, Dartmouth’s Town Council and Dartmouth Business Forum.

‘The scheme was also a financial success with the subsidy of £40,000 a year being saved under the pilot scheme, while keeping the service running for the community of Dartmouth and visitors to the town.

‘Following the success of the pilot, a contract was awarded to Stage­coach for the next five years.’

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, council spokesman for commercial services, said: ‘Times have changed and we need to change with it.

‘This scheme proves that South Hams District Council is fully committed to not cutting frontline services by finding new, innovative ways to keep these vital community services on the road. I am pleased the council have designed a scheme which does this and I congratulate Stagecoach on their tender success.’

The new timetable will start on Good Friday, to coincide with the school Easter holidays, with the more frequent bus service timetable running throughout the Easter school holiday, with the 20-minute services resuming with the start of the school term.

The park and ride service runs until October 30, when it stops for the winter period.