Go Cornwall Bus

[JKP]

I understand the points you are making but if you compare the proposed 17 with the 517 back in the day, the frequency is not all that different. OK it was every 45 minutes at some parts of the day but morning was hourly.

 

[Sleepy]

Is there vast numbers of people going from St Ives to beyond Hayle even in peak holiday season ?? Suspect the service will just be ramped up with summer additionals to/from Hayle. Would expect the St Ives - Penzance route frequency to increase however.

 

[Goldfish62]

Is there vast numbers of people going from St Ives to beyond Hayle even in peak holiday season ??

Pretty much, yes.

 

[83G/84D]

Sampled a Solo SR to Mousehole Coastguards today. The bus stopped short of the actual bus stop just before the entrance to the car park. After unloading the bus drew forward and reversed via Parkryn Rd to turn around. It then stopped opposite where it dropped off and did not reverse back to the coastguards stop.

There were just two Sprinters operating.

 

[Goldfish62]

Sampled a Solo SR to Mousehole Coastguards today. The bus stopped short of the actual bus stop just before the entrance to the car park. After unloading the bus drew forward and reversed via Parkryn Rd to turn around. It then stopped opposite where it dropped off and did not reverse back to the coastguards stop.

There were just two Sprinters operating.

That's the manoeuvre that most drivers do. Some others set down and pick up just before the car park, turn around and drive straight off, while others set down just before the car park, turn then reverse back to the stop (which is the dodgy manoeuvre).

 

[83G/84D]

That's the manoeuvre that most drivers do. Some others set down and pick up just before the car park, turn around and drive straight off, while others set down just before the car park, turn then reverse back to the stop (which is the dodgy manoeuvre).

I recall last summer seeing a ‘CAT’ serve both stops involving two reversing manoeuvres in a Volvo decker which was rather interesting!

 

[Goldfish62]

I recall last summer seeing a ‘CAT’ serve both stops involving two reversing manoeuvres in a Volvo decker which was rather interesting!

Personally I wouldn't do that manoeuvre!

 

[hdennis13]

With GNE getting 29 electrics and plymouth having 50 new electrics, I assume GCB will be able to received cascaded buses?

 

[Lynford1976]

39 ex-London United / RATP / First London Enviro 400's have been purchased.

There is a picture of one of these, 4047 (YX12 FOH), at Milehouse in plain Plymouth red on the "Go South West Enthusiasts" Facebook group.

 

[fgwrich]

Pretty much, yes.

Indeed, I’ve found it to remain busy going into the evenings - even with a frequent service on the St Ives Branch, the current no17 fits in nicely almost between train times (and saves a wait for some at St Erth if heading westbound).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jan 2026 ==

39 ex-London United / RATP / First London Enviro 400's have been purchased.

There is a picture of one of these, 4047 (YX12 FOH), at Milehouse in plain Plymouth red on the "Go South West Enthusiasts" Facebook group.

It almost feels like the days of old, more ex London vehicles heading to Cornwall then. Although in this case it’s down to Go-Ahead stepping in for First, I hope this isn’t going to become the norm again.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It almost feels like the days of old, more ex London vehicles heading to Cornwall then. Although in this case it’s down to Go-Ahead stepping in for First, I hope this isn’t going to become the norm again

If you’re going to get a raft of buses in a hurry, it’s the most logical step (and GCB already have a few ex London machines already).

Also, whilst First did put two decent sized batches of new e400mmc into Kernow, they still plonked a load of cascades into the operation with B7TLs (Bristol, Glasgow, Southampton) and B9TLs (Bristol, Norwich, Doncaster) since 2020.

 

[I'm here now]

Indeed, I’ve found it to remain busy going into the evenings - even with a frequent service on the St Ives Branch, the current no17 fits in nicely almost between train times (and saves a wait for some at St Erth if heading westbound).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jan 2026 ==


It almost feels like the days of old, more ex London vehicles heading to Cornwall then. Although in this case it’s down to Go-Ahead stepping in for First, I hope this isn’t going to become the norm again.

As does the T2 (now 14)!

 

[Goldfish62]

If you’re going to get a raft of buses in a hurry, it’s the most logical step (and GCB already have a few ex London machines already).

And they've got a dreadful looking maroon E400 cascaded from Oxford. Just about every panel is dented and the paintwork well faded. Looks like it's run by some dodgy independent rather than an international transport group!

Those former RATP E400s should be quite decent if a bit austere. I've always found their stuff better presented than the GoAhead London fleet.

 

[fgwrich]

If you’re going to get a raft of buses in a hurry, it’s the most logical step (and GCB already have a few ex London machines already).

Also, whilst First did put two decent sized batches of new e400mmc into Kernow, they still plonked a load of cascades into the operation with B7TLs (Bristol, Glasgow, Southampton) and B9TLs (Bristol, Norwich, Doncaster) since 2020.

Whilst there is that, First Kernow certainly did a good job in making those B7TL & B9TLs very presentable after repaint and refurbishment. Certainly a testament to the quality of Wright’s of old. It’s only the later batches of B9TLs in their multitude of liveries that has let the side down. But I’d rather travel on a 18 year old ex Glasgow B7TL than a tired and somewhat basic ex London E400 classic. Some of those may not be used to the roads of Cornwall, so like previous ex London transfers it’ll be interesting to see how they cope.

 

[Andyh82]

If you’re going to get a raft of buses in a hurry, it’s the most logical step (and GCB already have a few ex London machines already).

Also, whilst First did put two decent sized batches of new e400mmc into Kernow, they still plonked a load of cascades into the operation with B7TLs (Bristol, Glasgow, Southampton) and B9TLs (Bristol, Norwich, Doncaster) since 2020.

And to think people complained about First’s fleet. London spec Enviros are pretty basic and will be a step down compared to the MMCs First use.

It might be a stop gap but then again the ex-Plymouth Enviros in PCB livery that were introduced alongside the new fleet are still there now almost 6 years later

 

[Whiteway215]

Just for reference but from Facebook there are a number of Go Ahead London vehicles arriving or arrived at Plymouth.
So far there are two 60 plate Enviro 400, one 61 plate Enviro 400H and six 60/11 plate Enviro 200.

No doubt many more to follow.

 

[YorkRailFan]

It looks like E200MMCs 2212-16 moved from Cornwall to Dartline for the tender services they've won in Devon, along with E200s 2460-2463 from Plymouth and OmniCity 6040 from Metrobus. Not great for Cornwall but I imagine that they'll need double deckers more than singles (apart from routes like the 6 to Mousehole), especially with the reduced frequencies compared to First.

 

[LAIRA]

Just some thoughts from me. It is now 2026 and the tendered services renew in April 2028 with results hopefully known during late 2027. By bringing in ex London buses now and using them for 2 years, if the tenders are won new buses can be ordered, or if lost newer buses from 2020 can be used on commercial services from 2028.

 

[Goldfish62]

It looks like E200MMCs 2212-16 moved from Cornwall to Dartline for the tender services they've won in Devon, along with E200s 2460-2463 from Plymouth and OmniCity 6040 from Metrobus. Not great for Cornwall but I imagine that they'll need double deckers more than singles (apart from routes like the 6 to Mousehole), especially with the reduced frequencies compared to First.

The 6 can have any size of bus, including double decks, which occasionally run on the route now.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Whilst there is that, First Kernow certainly did a good job in making those B7TL & B9TLs very presentable after repaint and refurbishment. Certainly a testament to the quality of Wright’s of old. It’s only the later batches of B9TLs in their multitude of liveries that has let the side down. But I’d rather travel on a 18 year old ex Glasgow B7TL than a tired and somewhat basic ex London E400 classic. Some of those may not be used to the roads of Cornwall, so like previous ex London transfers it’ll be interesting to see how they cope.

The B7TLs were all repainted but not refurbished. I think most of the Bristol ones weren’t done as they’d been eleathered in 2013; it was mainly the ex Glasgow ones which were very tatty. As for the B9s, the ex Norwich machines are amongst the most careworn vehicles I’ve seen with a major operator.

Whether these are GCB stop gaps, there for 2 years or longer, the reality is “what else could they really source in the timescale”?

I’ve travelled on the GCB 2006 vehicles and whilst they’re a little spartan, it’s not like you’re sitting on wooden slats whilst the native 63/65 plates are fine. They’re also usually fairly tidy.

 

[overthewater]

The Weather which has a Red warning has resulted in most of the buses being pulled off this evening.

Bus service updates - Transport for Cornwall

www.transportforcornwall.co.uk

Suspension of Services in Cornwall after 18:00

15:50; Due to adverse weather conditions in Cornwall, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all services operating within Cornwall. The last departures will be 18:00 or as close to for all services operated by Go Cornwall Bus. This decision is in line with other transport providers in the area.
With wind speeds predicted to reach up to 100 miles per hour and a Red weather warning in place by the Met Office , passenger and driver safety must remain our top priority. This decision was not taken lightly, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Our Customer Experience Office will be open until 17:00 today to assist with journey planning and any queries.
Services to Rame will be suspended beyond Torpoint and services Saltash #GCB10 - #GCB11 - #GCB12 will operate a shuttle service between Plymouth and Carkeel Roundabout both of these are subject to the Tamar Ferry and Bridge still being in operation. We will be monitoring the situation and this message is active until 07:30 tomorrow (09/01/25) Please check the website and App for latest updates. We thank our customers for their understanding during this time and hope everyone stay's safe.

No service on the 35​

Today 17:26 - 23:59
We are sorry to announce the following service amendments due to Bad Weather.

The 1740 35 from Helston to Falmouth will collect all passengers in HELSTON TOWN, including all stops as far as Sainsburys. The service will then operate ONLY to drop off passengers already on board. The service will not collect passengers from stops at Culdrose and beyond.

The 1745 35 from Falmouth to Helston will collect all passengers in FALMOUTH TOWN, at all stops as far as Falmouth Football Club and will then operate to ONLY to drop off passengers already on board. The service will not collect passengers from stops at Budock Water and beyond.

We Apologise for any inconvenience caused

Storm Goretti service cancellations First Bus​

Today 13:23 - 9th Jan 2026

• Affected routes:
• 1
• 1A
• 17
• 17a
• 24
• 27
• 29
• 87
• M6
• T1
• T2
• U1
• U2
• U4

Customers are advised that due to Storm Goretti, all First Bus services will be cancellations from 16:00. Truro Park & Ride services will operate as normal. Please keep a check our website and the TFC app for ongoing updates. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

[DaveHarries]

The Weather which has a Red warning has resulted in most of the buses being pulled off this evening.

Presumably due, at least in part, to the number of routes which use double-deckers but I should imagine that operating a bus in these conditions wouldn't be easy regardless of its size. One of my Mum's sisters lives on a farm near St. Austell and is, at the time of writing this, not expecting to get her electricity back on before 8:30am Friday.

Stay safe all.

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Presumably due, at least in part, to the number of routes which use double-deckers but I should imagine that operating a bus in these conditions wouldn't be easy regardless of its size. One of my Mum's sisters lives on a farm near St. Austell and is, at the time of writing this, not expecting to get her electricity back on before 8:30am Friday.

Stay safe all.

Dave

All routes including the M6 have been pulled. Too dangerous for anything

 

[Goldfish62]

All routes including the M6 have been pulled. Too dangerous for anything

No OTS buses running at the moment due to the depot being inaccessible. Also Hopleys not running their services due to damage to the depot.

 

[Express380]

New route timetables showing on Bus times now

 

[Whiteway215]

From an informed source the proposed intake for Go Cornwall.
39 x E400 plated between 09 and 13 plate.(17 ex Go ahead London, 14 ex Stagecoach London and 8 ex RATP)
20 x B9TL plated between 59 and 61 plate ex Go Ahead London.

Also due 7 x E200 from GAL and 4 x Mercedes Benz 516 ex Diamond NW/Preston.

 

[Scotrail88]

From an informed source the proposed intake for Go Cornwall.
39 x E400 plated between 09 and 13 plate.(17 ex Go ahead London, 14 ex Stagecoach London and 8 ex RATP)
20 x B9TL plated between 59 and 61 plate ex Go Ahead London.

Also due 7 x E200 from GAL and 4 x Mercedes Benz 516 ex Diamond NW/Preston.

For reference, what is firsts reduction from withdrawal.
Just to gauge the like for like variance in fleet given comments on service level changes

 

[Express380]

For reference, what is firsts reduction from withdrawal.
Just to gauge the like for like variance in fleet given comments on service level changes

First has 60 Double decks, 10 Single decks and 4 Minibuses currently IIRC.

Edit- Not including P&R Truro as I believe these are not First owned

 

[Scotrail88]

So not much of a reduction - but then go ahead likely getting some extra in for breathing space and potential summer growth?

 

[Whiteway215]

So not much of a reduction - but then go ahead likely getting some extra in for breathing space and potential summer growth?

Several of these will be two door and it’s suggested are to be converted to single door requiring them to be out of service for long periods at Thorntons or ADL.