Record numbers for Sunday rail service

The service from Okehampton to Exeter attracted more than 7,800 passenger trips.

The Sunday rail service between Okehampton and Exeter has had its most successful season on record, according to Devon County Council.

It attracted more than 7,800 passenger trips during this year's summer season – the highest figure recorded over the past 18 years.

The train operates every Sunday between May and September with four journeys each day - providing a link into Exeter, as well as access to Okehampton, Dartmoor and Tavistock.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Development, Infrastructure and Waste, said it is “incredible to achieve these record figures for passenger journeys and it’s great to see so many people using the service to visit Exeter, Okehampton and Dartmoor without using a car”.

Cllr Davis added that it also "demonstrated the growing demand to travel on this line as efforts continue to re-introduce regular services to Okehampton”.

Councillor Kevin Ball, Devon County Councillor for Okehampton Rural, said: “These figures are fantastic and demonstrate there is the appetite to use a regular passenger service between Okehampton and Exeter."

Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “We are very grateful to Devon County Council for their on-going support for the Okehampton summer services and I am delighted that so many people were able to use them this year.”