Go Cornwall Bus

[Pemberton]

I thought when I posted the problem initially that the number 11 called at St. Erth Interchange, I now realise that Dobbies at Lelant, a few minutes walk away, is the nearest stop.
I noticed my photograph addition to the bus stop outside The Harbour Hotel with details of the current short running of the services in question.
It really doesn't help that bus stops don't seem to include the number 11 timetable (although I know they are the separate St. Ives bus company). I've stood on a number 11 this afternoon as it was so rammed and there was genuine confusion from folk trying to connect with a train at St. Erth. One gentleman at The Malakoff told me that a Rail Replacement Taxi, his exact phrase, was coming to pick him up in about half an hour so maybe there were some steps to lessen the problem.

 

[Express380]

I'm sure I saw somewhere on this thread about drivers taking the wrong route but couldn't find it. Well, my 88 decided it wanted to stick to the main road screenshot attached showing the alternative route we took

It didn't affect me, but felt bad for anyone waiting at the missed stops. Wander how common this is with GCB.

 

[kernowbususer]

I'm sure I saw somewhere on this thread about drivers taking the wrong route but couldn't find it. Well, my 88 decided it wanted to stick to the main road screenshot attached showing the alternative route we took

It didn't affect me, but felt bad for anyone waiting at the missed stops. Wander how common this is with GCB.

The service is diverted away from Scotland Road due to a road closure for re-surfacing works.

88 - Redruth to Newquay, via Blackwater and Goonhavern

Timetable for 88 - Redruth to Newquay, via Blackwater and Goonhavern

www.transportforcornwall.co.uk

 

[Express380]

The service is diverted away from Scotland Road due to a road closure for re-surfacing works.

88 - Redruth to Newquay, via Blackwater and Goonhavern

Timetable for 88 - Redruth to Newquay, via Blackwater and Goonhavern

www.transportforcornwall.co.uk

Oh my apologies didn't see that thanks for the link.

 

[henryb]

Go South West is joining FlixBus from spring with 2 Yutong GT12’s operating from Plymouth Depot

 

[Cheers Drive]

The service is diverted away from Scotland Road due to a road closure for re-surfacing works.

88 - Redruth to Newquay, via Blackwater and Goonhavern

Timetable for 88 - Redruth to Newquay, via Blackwater and Goonhavern

www.transportforcornwall.co.uk

I can tell you as someone who worked there no one cares was the official slogan that even managers would say ..no one does there you could do what you want they would pull services at 10pm and leave people completely stranded or ask you to drive in service with human excrement on the floor awful moral in this company really horrible bullying going on here I hope it’s better now I hope they absorb some first bus practices

 

[Sleepy]

It appears they haven't got enough drivers from First as they are bringing in staff from other areas for 2/3 months according to an insider.

 

[davedorset]

It appears they haven't got enough drivers from First as they are bringing in staff from other areas for 2/3 months according to an insider.

Morebus are sending some.

 

[Goldfish62]

Morebus are sending some.

Yes, someone posted the internal advert on a Facebook group.

I find it quite surprising that GSW was saying publicly a couple of weeks ago that they wouldn't need all the ex Kernow drivers while at the same time preparing to ship in loan drivers from elsewhere.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes, someone posted the internal advert on a Facebook group.

I find it quite surprising that GSW was saying publicly a couple of weeks ago that they wouldn't need all the ex Kernow drivers while at the same time preparing to ship in loan drivers from elsewhere.

Might be a case that they didn't have the same driver requirement but that's not the same as all the Kernow drivers coming across. Some of the older drivers might be happy with the redundancy cheque from First and either do a bit of part time, go agency, or put their feet up

 

[Goldfish62]

Might be a case that they didn't have the same driver requirement but that's not the same as all the Kernow drivers coming across. Some of the older drivers might be happy with the redundancy cheque from First and either do a bit of part time, go agency, or put their feet up

Could well be.

 

[LAIRA]

Might be a case that they didn't have the same driver requirement but that's not the same as all the Kernow drivers coming across. Some of the older drivers might be happy with the redundancy cheque from First and either do a bit of part time, go agency, or put their feet up

GSW are only taking on full time drivers. First I believe had quite of few part time drivers.
First drivers have also to be trained to "Smile", not that I am saying they don't already.

 

[FirstKernow]

GSW are only taking on full time drivers. First I believe had quite of few part time drivers.
First drivers have also to be trained to "Smile", not that I am saying they don't already.

Yes that's right ,First have a lot of part time staff & fixed line staff and were a flexible company ,GSW aren't !

 

[DaveHarries]

Morebus are sending some.

Nice change of scenery for them.

Dave

 

[davedorset]

Nice change of scenery for them.

Dave

Only until the summer uplift. And the scenery is all they are getting. No major incentives to help out.

 

[Express380]

Only until the summer uplift. And the scenery is all they are getting. No major incentives to help out.

Around 140 current First staff won't secure jobs at Go Cornwall!
GO CORNWALL now admit that there are not enough jobs for everyone!
First kernow bus drivers had bad news in November when they were informed that First Bus will be withdrawing from the Cornwall bus network in mid February 2026.
At the time the press releases and announcement went out, it was inferred to First drivers that go Cornwall would be taking them on. Indeed they are, but positions are limited.
During November, Go cornwall put a freeze on hires from First until closer to February. As from last week interviews are now being held for First drivers. These are being held at Duchy college between the 6th and 22nd of January and at Cornwall college on the 19th January.
The belief at the initial announcement by some within First bus was that Go Cornwall would be taking on the routes being abandoned by First Bus and so would require taking on driver numbers commensurate with the number of drivers required to run those buses at First.
The reality, as some suspected is far different
There are around 200 first employees that will be looking for a job come February after First withdraw, yet Go Cornwall only need around another 60 drivers!

I doubt First drivers are grateful for the Morebus lot coming.

Quoted from Kernowspace public Facebook page.

 

[Cheers Drive]

GSW are only taking on full time drivers. First I believe had quite of few part time drivers.
First drivers have also to be trained to "Smile", not that I am saying they don't already.

First Bus Drivers are professional drivers and are top spec in comparison to GoCornwall drivers who are happy because they get paid one of the highest rates in the country but hit kerbs daily and get lost a lot
There is a massive difference in companies first drivers for training go Cornwall train yourself

 

[richard13]

Go Cornwall Fleet Plans.

http://www.plymothiantransit.com/ has a full list of the planned incoming buses to Cornwall.

 

[MotCO]

Go Cornwall Fleet Plans.

http://www.plymothiantransit.com/ has a full list of the planned incoming buses to Cornwall.

Thanks - this is useful.

What struck me was the number of 15 / 17 year old buses going to Cornwall - are they just short term until the next contract round or because it is not possible to source so many buses at relatively short notice? And don't forget, Metrobus has had to beg, steal or borrow 40 buses, many from within Go-Ahead, to cope with their loss of hydrogen buses.

 

[Express380]

Thanks - this is useful.

What struck me was the number of 15 / 17 year old buses going to Cornwall - are they just short term until the next contract round or because it is not possible to source so many buses at relatively short notice? And don't forget, Metrobus has had to beg, steal or borrow 40 buses, many from within Go-Ahead, to cope with their loss of hydrogen buses.

We're used to the varied condition of the current fleet so they should fit pretty well.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks - this is useful.

What struck me was the number of 15 / 17 year old buses going to Cornwall - are they just short term until the next contract round or because it is not possible to source so many buses at relatively short notice? And don't forget, Metrobus has had to beg, steal or borrow 40 buses, many from within Go-Ahead, to cope with their loss of hydrogen buses.

When you need 60-70 additional vehicles with 3 months' notice, it's not exactly easy to go and get mid-life or new vehicles. So ex London ones will have to suffice until newer cascades or new vehicles can be obtained.

 

[fgwrich]

When you need 60-70 additional vehicles with 3 months' notice, it's not exactly easy to go and get mid-life or new vehicles. So ex London ones will have to suffice until newer cascades or new vehicles can be obtained.

With Southern Vectis announcing additional electric deckers have been ordered, I wonder if a cascade from GSC could be possible? At least the classic Enviro 400s from the island would be slightly newer and in a potentially better condition.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

With Southern Vectis announcing additional electric deckers have been ordered, I wonder if a cascade from GSC could be possible? At least the classic Enviro 400s from the island would be slightly newer and in a potentially better condition.

Ordered and expected for Feb 2026 but so many delays across the country.

 

[Surreyman]

What's the state of play re fitting Audio-Visual on board Bus stopping screens to Go Cornwall fleet?

 

[Cheers Drive]

Thats what you get Cornwall Council for allowing this cowboy outfit to take over from First Bus ..you lost the M&S of the bus operators and now ended up with Poundland

 

[davedorset]

With Southern Vectis announcing additional electric deckers have been ordered, I wonder if a cascade from GSC could be possible? At least the classic Enviro 400s from the island would be slightly newer and in a potentially better condition.

Nope. Swindon are expecting those.

 

[Andyh82]

When you need 60-70 additional vehicles with 3 months' notice, it's not exactly easy to go and get mid-life or new vehicles. So ex London ones will have to suffice until newer cascades or new vehicles can be obtained.

If they are going to the effort of converting them to single door then I expect they will be here for the long term

Other ex London buses like that batch of Geminis that Go North East and then Go South Coast had or the DOE class Optare Olympus that have turned up all over the place with Go Ahead kept their second doors for example

 

[Goldfish62]

If they are going to the effort of converting them to single door then I expect they will be here for the long term

Other ex London buses like that batch of Geminis that Go North East and then Go South Coast had or the DOE class Optare Olympus that have turned up all over the place with Go Ahead kept their second doors for example

I can't disagree with that. On the other hand unless they're going to specifically allocate the oldest buses to their commercial routes I can't believe the council would find it acceptable being offered 19 year old buses at the start of any new eight new contracts from 2028. They'd be 27 years old by the end of the contract term!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If they are going to the effort of converting them to single door then I expect they will be here for the long term

Other ex London buses like that batch of Geminis that Go North East and then Go South Coast had or the DOE class Optare Olympus that have turned up all over the place with Go Ahead kept their second doors for example

They need to get 60-70 additional vehicles so ex London kit is the obvious short term solution.

Converting 2010-2012 vintage vehicles does mean that they are going to be around for some time; cascades and new fleet will doubtless see the rather spartan 06/57 plate e400s off in the first instance. So these newer conversions will probably be done with a projected life of c.3-5 years, by which time they'll be 17-19 years old - exactly the same age as the 06 plates I've mentioned. Also, by getting them converted, they can be sent elsewhere in the group such as GSC where the Swindon and Damory operations have plenty of schools services operated by 20 year old deckers.

The DOE class is an interesting point and none of those have been touched so perhaps there's something about the construction of those that makes a conversion problematic, though I can't think what. Go North East did have a number of e400s that retained their centre doors though many, many more e400s and B9s have been converted. Perhaps they were destined to have a very short life and with Bournemouth, Wycombe and Southampton, they've ended up being kept longer than originally anticipated?

 

[Whiteway215]

Some weeks ago I had a conversation with an ex First Kernow driver who had already switched to driving for Go Cornwall.
I told him he was likely to sometimes be driving two door buses ex London after mid February.

He was of the opinion the centre door would not be used but I understand the ramp/wheelchair lift for London specification is fitted to the centre door. So that would mean the centre door would have to remain in use.

Please correct me if this is incorrect.