Although the first reference to a bus service in Exeter appeared as long ago as 1903, the first proper introduction of the motor bus was in 1929 when Exeter Corporation decided to introduce a limited bus service to compliment the trams that had been running for a number of years. However, about a year later and due to increased levels of motor traffic in general and the fact that trams were only on single lines, the corporation decided to cease trams altogether (the last one actually ran on 19th August 1931) and convert local public transport to buses only. In 1947, the corporation joined forces with Devon General who had been running routes for nearly 30 years and in the same year, a fleet of Leyland double decker buses was delivered and adverts appeared on their sides.
In 1963, the old bus station at Paul Street was closed and the larger open plan station was opened, off Paris Street - this remains today. Over the years there have been some privatisations and amalgamations, to the point that Devon General disappeared but bus services in Exeter since 1995 have gone from strength to strength. There is talk that the bus station may be revamped within the plans for refurbishing the city centre but we shall have to wait and see. If interested follow this link for more info: http://exetermemories.co.uk/em/exetertransport.php