The final report of the X53 Rural Bus Challenge Project, June 2003 to October 2006, was published in February. Passenger numbers showed an immediate significant increase from the introduction of the improved service. Over the three years of the bid, passenger numbers consistently increased culminating in over 300,000 passenger journeys in the final year.
Over the three years of the scheme an increase in passenger numbers of over 280% has been achieved. Revenue also increased significantly over the bid period, with an increase of over 100% from 2003/4 to 2005/6. The Sidmouth Hopper is going from strength to strength with the inauguration of the Hill Hopper Service in 2006 to complement the Town Service.
