People travelling from Plymouth to the South Hams will be able to use services for free on weekends throughout September.

The offer, announced by Plymouth City Council, will apply to all journeys starting within the Plymouth city boundary on Saturdays and Sundays during the month.

It is part of an initiative by the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership, funded through Government bus improvement funding and delivered with Plymouth Citybus, Stagecoach South West and Tally Ho.

Free travel will be available on September 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20, and 26 and 27.

The scheme follows a month-long offer of free bus travel for children during August, with the council now encouraging people of all ages to leave their cars at home and try public transport.

Councillor John Stephens, Plymouth City Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said the initiative was an opportunity for people to “save money and explore everything the city has to offer without spending a penny on travel”.

He added that the council hoped the free weekends would encourage more people to discover the convenience of travelling by bus.

The offer coincides with Catch the Bus Month, a national celebration of bus travel.

Representatives from the council and bus operators will also be at the Armada Way Piazza in Plymouth on Saturday, September 12, from 10am to 4pm to answer questions about local bus services and hear residents’ views.

The free travel offer applies to participating Plymouth Citybus, Stagecoach South West and Tally Ho services where journeys begin within the Plymouth city boundary, including the Stagecoach Service 3 to Dartmouth via Kingsbridge, Service 80 to Totnes and Tally Ho services to Noss Mayo or Heybrook Bay.

Exclusions include Plymouth Citybus Argyle football specials and Stagecoach’s Falcon coach service.

Further information about participating services will be available from September 1 at https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/ride-free-plymouth