Plymouth Safe Bus has new location but is still here to help

People in Plymouth are being reminded that the Safe Bus has moved to a new temporary location but is still available to offer help.

The bus, which is usually in the city on Saturday nights from 10pm until 4am on Sundays, can now be found at bus stop DC2 Derry’s Cross roundabout outside Timber Vault Escape Rooms PL1 2TE.

The bus stop changes are due to the ongoing road works on Royal Parade, which have effectively moved all the existing bus stops on to Derry’s Cross. This work is planned for the next nine months.

The Plymouth Safe Bus is responsible for helping keep hundreds of people safe on nights out over the last few years. Around 90% of individuals treated on board the Safe Bus have been discharged at the scene by medical staff, reducing pressure on police, ambulance, and hospital services. The bus has also provided vital support to vulnerable individuals, helping to keep them safe from harm.

Plymouth Citybus ensures the upkeep and reliability of the bus, consistently providing drivers to transport it to and from its location every weekend.

The Safe Bus was set up to provide support to people during the late night and early hours of the morning. The bus was organised by Devon & Cornwall Police and a number of local partners including Plymouth City Council.

Plymouth PC Deb Hart said: “The bus is staffed by a team of paramedics, security guards and nearby taxi marshals who ensure anyone trying to get a taxi can get home safely. It provides a general safe space, medical provision, drink spiking tests and phone charging facilities. The power on the bus is charged by solar panels.

“As well as the usual Saturday night and Sunday early hours service, additional dates for the Safe Bus to be at Derry’s Cross roundabout, Plymouth later this year are: Sunday 24 Aug (BH weekend), Friday 31 Oct, Friday 5, 12 and 19 December. Organisers will also have the bus in place at Derry’s Cross for student Freshers Week from September 15. The bus will also be parked at Plymouth University campus on Tuesday 16 September daytime.”

The partners involved in funding the initiative include University of Plymouth, Safer Streets 4 (Govt), Victim Support and Plymouth City Council. Partners involved in the weekly running of the bus include Best Bar None, the NHS and Western Medical Services. 

The Devon and Cornwall Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has contributed £10k funding this year to support the driver training costs and annual maintenance costs of the Plymouth Safe Bus.

Police and partner agencies will continue to monitor this new location, to ensure that this is the best temporary location for the bus.