 In January 1983 Western National was split into four new companies, one of which was Devon General Limited that operated in south and east Devon as the old Devon General had done, but the Tiverton area services became part of North Devon.On 19 August 1986 Devon General became the first National Bus Company subsidiary to be privatised under the Transport Act 1985 being sold in a management buy out led by managing director Harry Blundred.An experimental high-frequency service using 22 minibuses was introduced in Exeter on 27 February 1984.