Go Cornwall Bus

[MotCO]

There is however a chance you could get a more extensive closed top service next year, as they will have many more deckers spare from the Truro College services

But will they have the drivers? It's holiday time for them as well!

 

[YorkRailFan]

That’s a big leep though

At the moment it’s minimal effort minimal cost, just using some school deckers that would otherwise be parked up all summer

A far cry from deploying special vehicles, and lots of extra cost, like First will know.

There is however a chance you could get a more extensive closed top service next year, as they will have many more deckers spare from the Truro College services

Oh I agree, I think GCB will ramp up the frequencies of the 7/7A before even considering open-top buses.

 

[Goldfish62]

But will they have the drivers? It's holiday time for them as well!

Given operators in tourist areas up and down the country run enhanced services during the summer holidays I think a professional operator like GSW will manage to plan ahead for that just fine.

 

[Andyh82]

The new winter timetable booklet for Cornwall has been released

https://images-transportforcornwall.passenger-website.com/2025-08/TFC%20Sept%2025%20Book%20for%20final%20sign%20off.pdf

And the map

https://images-transportforcornwall.passenger-website.com/2025-08/Cornwall%20supermap%20MASTER%20aug25%20WEB.pdf

First thing I’ve noticed is they are displaying the new competitive GCB services 2 & 41 on the same timetables as the equivalent commercial First Services (and colouring the page red rather than purple as if the GCB service is the primary service). How helpful from GCB to do that…

Due to the completely different frequencies, timing points and running times I’m not sure it particularly helps that clarity of either service.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

First thing I’ve noticed is they are displaying the new competitive GCB services 2 & 41 on the same timetables as the equivalent commercial First Services (and colouring the page red rather than purple as if the GCB service is the primary service). How helpful from GCB to do that…

Due to the completely different frequencies, timing points and running times I’m not sure it particularly helps that clarity of either service

That feels a little bit petty esp when you look at stuff like the 24.

As for the other point... don't know if that is the issue but the **40 ser 41 being shown after the **45 T1 is a bit odd.

 

[Andyh82]

The combined T1/T2/41 timetable is a mess, for example in the Truro direction they’ve got Treswithian after Camborne Bus Station rather than before, and of course it looks like the T1/T2 doesn’t serve that stop as it isn’t a timing point. It also looks like the 41 doesn’t serve Camborne town centre in either direction.

Elsewhere in the timetable, they make mistakes with the various codes and the colours used TCD, TCH, SSH, SD etc, they need to be more accurate with that considering how so many services in Cornwall revolve around schools and colleges and some timetables can get very complex

They’ve also perpetuated the error that the 405 is a Go Cornwall Bus service, it isn’t, it’s still run by Travel Cornwall

 

[JKP]

The combined T1/T2/41 timetable is a mess, for example in the Truro direction they’ve got Treswithian after Camborne Bus Station rather than before, and of course it looks like the T1/T2 doesn’t serve that stop as it isn’t a timing point. It also looks like the 41 doesn’t serve Camborne town centre in either direction.

Elsewhere in the timetable, they make mistakes with the various codes and the colours used TCD, TCH, SSH, SD etc, they need to be more accurate with that considering how so many services in Cornwall revolve around schools and colleges and some timetables can get very complex

They’ve also perpetuated the error that the 405 is a Go Cornwall Bus service, it isn’t, it’s still run by Travel Cornwall

I thought that Travel Cornwall no longer existed with all routes having been transferred to Go Ahead?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

That feels a little bit petty esp when you look at stuff like the 24.

As for the other point... don't know if that is the issue but the **40 ser 41 being shown after the **45 T1 is a bit odd.

It doesn’t help that running times between timing points are different so can understand the difficulties in displaying a comprehensive table. It would though be best if the 41 was shown on a separate table.

The index to places served is also still woefully inadequate. I was looking up Dobwalls, which is omitted. Is it correct that there are no journeys from the village on either the 11, 55 or 77 that arrive in Liskeard before 1000?

 

[Goldfish62]

First thing I’ve noticed is they are displaying the new competitive GCB services 2 & 41 on the same timetables as the equivalent commercial First Services (and colouring the page red rather than purple as if the GCB service is the primary service). How helpful from GCB to do that…

The whole purpose of the TfC partnership is to promote the bus network as that, ie one network. In the case of the 2 and 41 it helps the travelling public that the timetables are combined. It's irrelevant which operator runs what. The fares are all fully interoperable (the crowning achievement of the partnership).

That one operator has launched aggressive competition against the other is really just something that needs to accepted, and that's acknowledged by the Council in its EP statement, but that shouldnt detract from the promotion of a single bus network.

However, I agree that the T1/T2/41 timetable is a mess and the total lack of any improvements in the timetable book such as a decent index and town maps is disappointing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

I thought that Travel Cornwall no longer existed with all routes having been transferred to Go Ahead?

Yes, Summercourt Travel t/a Travel Cornwall no longer operate any local bus services. All registrations were cancelled upon transfer of the services and vehicles to GSW.

 

[Lynford1976]

Yes, Summercourt Travel t/a Travel Cornwall no longer operate any local bus services. All registrations were cancelled upon transfer of the services and vehicles to GSW.

Not quite!

The 405 was re-registered (licence number PH0006937/2) under the partnership operator licence of R.D.& S.C.Ryder, who I believe used to be associated with Summercourt Travel Ltd.

The former limited company was declared insolvent, and entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation on 18th December 2024. The licence in that name was then cancelled.

 

[Goldfish62]

Not quite!

The 405 was re-registered (licence number PH0006937/2) under the partnership operator licence of R.D.& S.C.Ryder, who I believe used to be associated with Summercourt Travel Ltd.

The former limited company was declared insolvent, and entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation on 18th December 2024. The licence in that name was then cancelled.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the correction!

 

[Andyh82]

I made a point of observing the 405 when I was in Cornwall earlier in the season. It was operated by a car in Merlin Vehicle Hire livery. I almost didn’t see it due to it not being a proper bus. It’s a very odd service.

I always think there could be some improvements to the timetable book, but am also worried the most likely improvement is to make it online only. The old Cornwall council books used to have decent town plans so it’s a shame they don’t feature anymore, even online. Some of the bigger towns have quite complicated routings. The diagrammatic map is done by Best Impressions whereas the old town plans were old school maps like FWT ones, so they probably couldn’t just be lifted.

I also think it’s a shame the St Ives locals don’t feature. Even though they presumably aren’t part of the partnership, they’d probably get them all on one page for completeness

 

[Jamesbus80]

The whole purpose of the TfC partnership is to promote the bus network as that, ie one network. In the case of the 2 and 41 it helps the travelling public that the timetables are combined. It's irrelevant which operator runs what. The fares are all fully interoperable (the crowning achievement of the partnership).

That one operator has launched aggressive competition against the other is really just something that needs to accepted, and that's acknowledged by the Council in its EP statement, but that shouldnt detract from the promotion of a single bus network.

I appreciate and agree with your point - but it is interesting that, later in the book, the 41 gets its own timetable all to itself, where the T1 and T2 do not. One would imagine that, if there is a need to post an individual route 41 timetable, there is a need to show an individual T1 / T2 timetable.

 

[Goldfish62]

I appreciate and agree with your point - but it is interesting that, later in the book, the 41 gets its own timetable all to itself, where the T1 and T2 do not. One would imagine that, if there is a need to post an individual route 41 timetable, there is a need to show an individual T1 / T2 timetable.

Yes, and the 2/2A doesn't have a separate timetable while the U1 and 32 have separate timetables but not a combined timetable.

Totally inconsistent.

I had understood that GoAhead produced these timetable books, with all operators and the council making a financial contribution, but the product is not up to the standards you see from GoAhead elsewhere. But then GSW seem to have a lower key approach to marketing and publicity compared to many GA OpCos.

 

[richard13]

The index to places served is also still woefully inadequate. I was looking up Dobwalls, which is omitted. Is it correct that there are no journeys from the village on either the 11, 55 or 77 that arrive in Liskeard before 1000?

The early journeys at 7 and 8 are provided by the 57.

 

[JKP]

The early journeys at 7 and 8 are provided by the 57.

Yes, thanks, I found that out by accident.

 

[LAIRA]

Yes, and the 2/2A doesn't have a separate timetable while the U1 and 32 have separate timetables but not a combined timetable.

Totally inconsistent.

I had understood that GoAhead produced these timetable books, with all operators and the council making a financial contribution, but the product is not up to the standards you see from GoAhead elsewhere. But then GSW seem to have a lower key approach to marketing and publicity compared to many GA OpCos.

Publicity appears to be an unknown thing with Plymouth City Bus. Next week service 71 is going to serve the loop around Saltash in the opposite direction but there is no announcement anywhere to this fact apart the timing points have changed on the timetable. There is not service update to warn of this fact, no notices on any bus stops in Saltash and if you arrive at the stop at the bottom of Fore Street less than 10 minutes in advance you will not even see the bus going the other way round as the last stop is in New North Road.

 

[RELL6L]

I saw the timetable with the T1, T2 and 41, what a mess! Can't see the point of this. Particularly confusing at Camborne as you would think the 41 doesn't go there. I know this is First's core route but is this competition going to force them out? Surely now they will hang on until the next general Cornwall tender. The fact that First have continued the 1/1a and 17 on their existing timetable for the winter - a good move IMHO - suggests that they are resisting. I can see the 86 attracting passengers between Perranporth and Truro though, it is much quicker than First's 87 and runs at the same time each hour for shoppers - unlike the 87 every 40 minutes (ish).

 

[Andyh82]

Is the 41 serving Camborne bus station or not?

 

[JKP]

Is the 41 serving Camborne bus station or not?

No. It uses Trelowarren Street in one direction. If I recall correctly this was the old Grenville terminus and is fairly narrow. Am sure that I read something about this being unsatisfactory elsewhere.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2025 ==

No. It uses Trelowarren Street in one direction. If I recall correctly this was the old Grenville terminus and is fairly narrow. Am sure that I read something about this being unsatisfactory elsewhere.

Sorry wrong street. The Grenville bus terminus was in Cross Street. I see that there is still a badly sited bus stop shown on Google Maps which appears to be unused at present. Perhaps the 41 will use this on journeys to Treswithian?

 

[Goldfish62]

Sorry wrong street. The Grenville bus terminus was in Cross Street. I see that there is still a badly sited bus stop shown on Google Maps which appears to be unused at present. Perhaps the 41 will use this on journeys to Treswithian?

That's the stop showing on Bustimes as being served.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2025 ==

Publicity appears to be an unknown thing with Plymouth City Bus. Next week service 71 is going to serve the loop around Saltash in the opposite direction but there is no announcement anywhere to this fact apart the timing points have changed on the timetable. There is not service update to warn of this fact, no notices on any bus stops in Saltash and if you arrive at the stop at the bottom of Fore Street less than 10 minutes in advance you will not even see the bus going the other way round as the last stop is in New North Road.

All very TfL-esque!

 

[83G/84D]

No. It uses Trelowarren Street in one direction. If I recall correctly this was the old Grenville terminus and is fairly narrow. Am sure that I read something about this being unsatisfactory elsewhere.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2025 ==


Sorry wrong street. The Grenville bus terminus was in Cross Street. I see that there is still a badly sited bus stop shown on Google Maps which appears to be unused at present. Perhaps the 41 will use this on journeys to Treswithian?

Being Camborne based I posted my thoughts on the 41 in post #2746 so won't repeat them again. If you look at the timetable and map for the 41 on Bustimes there is no mention of Cross St or the bus station anymore. It appears to be going a different way now as I suggested in my previous post. Cross St just wasn't a realistic route to take.

 

[Lizard1324]

With go Cornwall getting so many contracts, surely there is a need for more buses? Are any due.

 

[LAIRA]

With go Cornwall getting so many contracts, surely there is a need for more buses? Are any

Plymouth have received 25 new electrics of which 6 are for Go Cornwall service 70. They have released buses from the Plymouth fleet so that next week 501-542 460-476 4001-4012 5001-5039 apart from already withdrawn buses should all be allocated to Cornwall.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Plymouth have received 25 new electrics of which 6 are for Go Cornwall service 70. They have released buses from the Plymouth fleet so that next week 501-542 460-476 4001-4012 5001-5039 apart from already withdrawn buses should all be allocated to Cornwall.

There are also eight (I think) Scania Omnidekkas (released from Metrobus in Crawley) parked up in Milehouse depot and they are also supposed to be for Cornwall* (* - caveat - was advised by a driver)

 

[Andyh82]

Hopleys have got a new 75 plate bus WK75LAF

WK75LAF

Explore jonathon890's 35272 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

It’s an Enviro 200 MMC so will merge into the background with the usual Go Cornwall examples unlike how the Solos stand out, although being new it’s much less battle scared and isn’t held together with red gaffer tape like the GCB ones usually are.

 

[Goldfish62]

Hopleys have got a new 75 plate bus WK75LAF

WK75LAF

Explore jonathon890's 35272 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

It’s an Enviro 200 MMC so will merge into the background with the usual Go Cornwall examples unlike how the Solos stand out, although being new it’s much less battle scared and isn’t held together with red gaffer tape like the GCB ones usually are.

Yes, entered service on 1st September, looking somewhat smarter than the GCB ones!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Sep 2025 ==

No timetable books were available at Truro bus station or Penzance TIC last week. Instead there were a handful of photocopies of a very limited range of routes.

Unless there's going to be a further print-run the availability is so ridiculously low now that it feels that the printed book is going to be withdrawn by stealth.

 

[I'm here now]

Yes, entered service on 1st September, looking somewhat smarter than the GCB ones!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Sep 2025 ==

No timetable books were available at Truro bus station or Penzance TIC last week. Instead there were a handful of photocopies of a very limited range of routes.

Unless there's going to be a further print-run the availability is so ridiculously low now that it feels that the printed book is going to be withdrawn by stealth.

There’s always a fair few in libraries.

 

[Goldfish62]

There’s always a fair few in libraries.

Never seen any in Penzance library.

 

[I'm here now]

Never seen any in Penzance library.

Elsewhere I’ve seen them out west - St Ives, Hayle and the like.

 

[G760XRE]

Hopleys have got a new 75 plate bus WK75LAF

WK75LAF

Explore jonathon890's 35272 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

It’s an Enviro 200 MMC so will merge into the background with the usual Go Cornwall examples unlike how the Solos stand out, although being new it’s much less battle scared and isn’t held together with red gaffer tape like the GCB ones usually are.

One of the aforementioned Hopleys Solo SRs YJ62FZF ( Formerly B5PCV) has turned up at First Potteries in Stoke-on-trent. I presume Hopleys have now sold this as a result of this new E200MMC being delivered? Any idea who has bought this if so?. I doubt it'd be Potteries, but other First subsidiaries do operate SR's

First Potteries Depot 27.9.25

Left to right: 47538 MK63XAP. First Somerset Wright Streetlite. Rubbed down and ready for repaint. 44511 DK57SPZ. First Potteries E200, last of the ex Worcester examples in service here. Now also withdrawn sadly. YJ62FZF (Ex B5PCV). Hopley's coaches Cornwall Optare Solo SR. Unsure if it is still...

www.flickr.com