The Devon General Omnibus & Touring Company was formed in 1919 and acquired by Torquay Tramways three years later, becoming part of the British Electric Traction group (BET) in 1931. Its colourful cherry-red and ivory buses and grey and maroon Grey Cars coaches served South Devon for many years and became an essential part of many holiday-makers’ visits to Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Exmouth and Sidmouth before the age of mass car ownership.
In 1969 Devon General became part of the National Bus Company, taking over Exeter City Transport a year later and coming under the control of Western National in 1971. With the division of Western National in 1983, it re-emerged as Devon General Limited and three years later became the first NBC bus subsidiary to be privatised. In 1992 its Torbay operations became Bayline Limited. In 1996 the companies were sold to the Stagecoach group and recombined as Stagecoach Devon Limited, which now trades as Stagecoach South West.
