Patchy public transport in rural areas is effectively cutting off young people from job opportunities and social events, according to two youth campaigners in Bovey Tracey.

Seth Hervin, 16 and James Chapman, 21, are gathering evidence showing that sparse bus services and inadequate rail connections are leaving people stranded until they’re old enough to drive.

They’ll be presenting their findings to the bus companies, Devon County Council and their MP Mel Stride.

James is a recently graduated university student, while Seth is still at college.

The pair, who are both members of Young Labour, held a meeting in Bovey Tracey last month to gauge interest and hear other young people’s concerns.

James said: “We do feel passionately that this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

“We are sick and tired of rural transport being swept under the rug and under-funded.”

He’s a car driver now, but described how, when he was younger, he had a job at McDonald’s on Haldon Hill. Relying on buses to get there, he was inconvenienced when the timetable changed, making it difficult to travel in time for the start of his shift.

He said poor public transport makes it particularly hard for young people to take jobs in the hospitality business, with its early or late working hours.

Meanwhile the buses and trains used by children and teenagers for school and college transport are often overcrowded.

During the meeting there was praise for the £2 cap on bus fares, although most of the discussion focused on sparse or unreliable bus services, rather than the cost of travel.

There were also positive comments about the electric buses now operating on some routes in Exeter, Torbay and North Devon, which are likely to encourage more people to use public transport in those areas.

James and Seth are now planning to distribute a survey to gather as many views as possible from young people across the Bovey Tracey area.