Go Cornwall Bus

[Bill Badger]

Initial observations from Day 1.

With the withdrawal of 5/5A Paul and Sheffield are currently totally unserved for the time being with the medium term closure of the hill up from Newlyn.

Based purely on Bus Times, Chy-an-Gweal Estate in Ludgvan is not being served with the 17 stickiing to A30 despite the printed timetable saying the buses still divert they way.

Service 15 is routed via A30 instead of Rosevindney in both directions.

The first 4A from St Just to Penzance at 06.20 is in the printed timetable but missing from BusTimes and didn't run yesterday, but sorted this morning, so Go Cornwall are addressing some ofbthr inevitable gremlins.

 

[kernowbususer]

Initial observations from Day 1.

With the withdrawal of 5/5A Paul and Sheffield are currently totally unserved for the time being with the medium term closure of the hill up from Newlyn.

Based purely on Bus Times, Chy-an-Gweal Estate in Ludgvan is not being served with the 17 stickiing to A30 despite the printed timetable saying the buses still divert they way.

Service 15 is routed via A30 instead of Rosevindney in both directions.

The first 4A from St Just to Penzance at 06.20 is in the printed timetable but missing from BusTimes and didn't run yesterday, but sorted this morning, so Go Cornwall are addressing some ofbthr inevitable gremlins.

Paul, Sheffield and Gwavas are being served with a revised timetable in place for the 1/1A.

 

[Bill Badger]

Paul, Sheffield and Gwavas are being served with a revised timetable in place for the 1/1A.

Thanks! Are you aware of that being publicised anywhere? Nothing on BusTimes or anywhere obvious on the Go Cornwall/Transport for Cornwall Websites.

 

[Goldfish62]

Thanks! Are you aware of that being publicised anywhere? Nothing on BusTimes or anywhere obvious on the Go Cornwall/Transport for Cornwall Websites.

The service update just says no service between Newlyn and Merry Maidens inclusive until 20th March, but buses tracking on Bustimes are doing a dog leg from St Buryan to service Sheffield, Paul and Gwavas Estate. There is no published timetable and as a result of the huge diversion the whole route appears to be served every two hours rather than hourly.

Based purely on Bus Times, Chy-an-Gweal Estate in Ludgvan is not being served with the 17 stickiing to A30 despite the printed timetable saying the buses still divert they way.

Bustimes was corrected prior to the weekend show the 17 serving Chy-an-Gweal Estate and Ludgvan as indeed it should. However, looking at tracked buses they're incorrectly diverting direct along the A30. Clearly drivers haven't been given the correct instructions.

Although at odds with the publicity there aren't any stops between St Erth and Gwallon on the 15 anyway, but the unofficial rerouting will mean that buses won't appear on realtime displays between St Erth Interchange and Crowlas.

There's another issue on the 2 whereby a popular bus for workers, the 1750 from Penzance, now terminates at Goldsithney rather than Helston, but there's talk of this being resolved.

 

[co-tr-paul]

The 1750 2 ex PZ appeared on online timetable as a full journey for first time late last night. Will track it today !

 

[kernowbususer]

Thanks! Are you aware of that being publicised anywhere? Nothing on BusTimes or anywhere obvious on the Go Cornwall/Transport for Cornwall Websites.

The current temporary timetable is on the TfC app and Website.

 

[co-tr-paul]

1750 2 ex PZ is indeed going to Helston albeit over 10 late !

 

[83G/84D]

I haven't heard good things of the Wrightbus EVs which run between Taunton and Minehead (although I will try before I judge) but I have travelled on one the Wrightbus EVs in Plymouth (short ride on a 21A between Stonehouse and Plymouth City Centre while on a work errand: no rattles) which I found to be OK and I am glad they went for the design they did on those. I have also been on the Yutongs in Bristol, Newport and Cardiff (E12 and, in Bristol, U11DD - not sampled the Newport U11DDs - which I also have found to be a good ride). I haven't tried the ADL E100EV and E200EV or the newer E400EV (I may try and sample an E100EV or E200EV when Bath get theirs later in 2026) although the ADL electric deckers in Coventry I always found to be a good ride too.

I presume that they BYDs on loan to Plymouth will be used while some of PCB's deckers are down in Cornwall helping out so that suggests to me that some of the new arrivals due for GCB have been delayed in appearing.

Dave

I might be wrong but wasn’t there a follow on order of Electroliners for PCB (Plymouth City Bus)? The initial batch of 50 are in use but I thought more were due at a later date.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

I might be wrong but wasn’t there a follow on order of Electroliners for PCB (Plymouth City Bus)? The initial batch of 50 are in use but I thought more were due at a later date.

There's another nine due at some point this year.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I haven't heard good things of the Wrightbus EVs which run between Taunton and Minehead (although I will try before I judge) but I have travelled on one the Wrightbus EVs in Plymouth (short ride on a 21A between Stonehouse and Plymouth City Centre while on a work errand: no rattles) which I found to be OK and I am glad they went for the design they did on those. I have also been on the Yutongs in Bristol, Newport and Cardiff (E12 and, in Bristol, U11DD - not sampled the Newport U11DDs - which I also have found to be a good ride). I haven't tried the ADL E100EV and E200EV or the newer E400EV (I may try and sample an E100EV or E200EV when Bath get theirs later in 2026) although the ADL electric deckers in Coventry I always found to be a good ride too.

I presume that they BYDs on loan to Plymouth will be used while some of PCB's deckers are down in Cornwall helping out so that suggests to me that some of the new arrivals due for GCB have been delayed in appearing.

Dave

The ones in Coventry are BYDs with ADL bodywork.
Quite possibly so. The next few months I'm sure will be very interesting both in Cornwall and Plymouth!

I didn't manage to enjoy the PCB Electroliners when on the Rame in the summer; they'd arrived but because of grounding issues with the ferries, they were put on city services for a period. However, I've been on Electroliners elsewhere (e.g. Norwich) and though they were a decent machine, and same with the GB Kites. I've been on more Yutongs and they're very well put together so if the BYDs are anything similar, they'll be practical and well built if lacking on the aesthetics.

As for ADL EVs.... I've experienced the BYD/ADLs in Greater Manchester and Coventry. Oddly, the Coventry ones seemed to be better as the Bolton ones were creaking and squeaking like nobody's business (but perhaps that's a reflection on the roads there?). That said, I've since been on the newer all ADL e400EVs and they're much better whether it's on urban (Greater Manchester) or interurban (Warwickshire) work.

Back to GCB, I recall one of the Truro P&R GB Kites was pictured some time ago but clearly a bit of delay with everything else that's been going on. Given the general malaise with Park and Rides in the UK, it's interesting to see one get new buses.

 

[Goldfish62]

Back to GCB, I recall one of the Truro P&R GB Kites was pictured some time ago but clearly a bit of delay with everything else that's been going on. Given the general malaise with Park and Rides in the UK, it's interesting to see one get new buses.

One was delivered before Christmas, then returned to Ballymena a couple of weeks later. I have no idea about the status of the charging equipment at Langarth except that as usual with these things it's been running late.

One of the main issues with Electroliners, apart from mutterings from operators about an increasing lack of quality control, is the lack of heating. A software issue that Wrightbus is seemingly incapable of resolving.

The contract award for the P&R to GSW was done through the direct award mechanism rather than an emergency tender. It's for just over two years, with the same expiry date as the previous FSW contract.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2026 ==

Although at odds with the publicity there aren't any stops between St Erth and Gwallon on the 15 anyway, but the unofficial rerouting will mean that buses won't appear on realtime displays between St Erth Interchange and Crowlas.

Looking at Bustimes this morning's journeys on the 15 ran via Rosevidney in both directions so that's all possible route permutations in the past few days!

 

[Express380]

The BYD fleet enters service in Plymouth tomorrow, according to staff in the know on Facebook groups.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The BYD fleet enters service in Plymouth tomorrow, according to staff in the know on Facebook groups.

Moreover, Graham has said so on his Plymothian Transit site

Plymouth Citybus have a few BYDs electric buses on loan from Go Ahead London and the late news is that some of these are due to go out in service tomorrow

There will be 8 BYD's out in service tomorrow! 5 will be on 21/21a from 6am onwards, 3 on 50/51.

Not sure what fleet numbers. (there will eventually be 20 of these in Plymouth!)

 

[Express380]

Moreover, Graham has said so on his Plymothian Transit site

Thanks for adding that I haven't had the chance to go on the site today.

 

[Goldfish62]

The BYD fleet enters service in Plymouth tomorrow, according to staff in the know on Facebook groups.

Looking on Bustimes the first few have indeed entered service. There are a total of 14 at Plymouth now, with another six apparently due.

Given that these are brand new vehicles and will have needed modifications to the assault screen and cab door to issue tickets and accept cash I assume they're around for a while. That may be an indicator of how long it's expected to get the permanent Cornwall fleet up and running.

 

[MaidaVale]

I do think it an odd decision not to have kept the T1 and T2 route numbering. The routes have been given a much higher profile in recent years with the T prefix, and I think the renumbering takes away from the trunk nature of the route. Small detail on the surface — but route numbers carry real commercial value. Under First Kernow, those numbers had built recognition and familiarity along the north coast, as well as within the tourist industry. A pity!

I also think this is a bit of an oversight on GCBs part, especially considering how much of trunk routes the T1/T2 had become under the modern era First Kernow. I'm somewhat glad they've stuck with tradition and not just numbered them something random, but considering they essentially operate as one long route with a split at one end, I think it'd make more sense for them to at least be numbered sequentially and/or a more round and memorable number.

Honestly I think much the same with the U-prefixed routes out of Falmouth, particularly the U1 which is now fairly anonymous and mixed in with the rest as the 32 considering how much of a key trunk route it is and how big of an impact the route has on students at the University. The U4 probably makes a lot of sense returning to the 2/3 though, most of it's routing isn't really Uni-centred anyway and at least 2 and 3 are fairly key numbers denoting it's an important route.

Not particularly a fan of many routes that have historically been almost all decker operated year-round under First (for MANY years) now seemingly being operated with a far more consistently mixed bag of both single and double decks, especially considering the steep drop in frequency across many of them. Notably the 2 and the 17.

 

[Simon75]

I also think this is a bit of an oversight on GCBs part, especially considering how much of trunk routes the T1/T2 had become under the modern era First Kernow. I'm somewhat glad they've stuck with tradition and not just numbered them something random, but considering they essentially operate as one long route with a split at one end, I think it'd make more sense for them to at least be numbered sequentially and/or a more round and memorable number.

Honestly I think much the same with the U-prefixed routes out of Falmouth, particularly the U1 which is now fairly anonymous and mixed in with the rest as the 32 considering how much of a key trunk route it is and how big of an impact the route has on students at the University. The U4 probably makes a lot of sense returning to the 2/3 though, most of it's routing isn't really Uni-centred anyway and at least 2 and 3 are fairly key numbers denoting it's an important route.

Not particularly a fan of many routes that have historically been almost all decker operated year-round under First (for MANY years) now seemingly being operated with a far more consistently mixed bag of both single and double decks, especially considering the steep drop in frequency across many of them. Notably the 2 and the 17.

I suspect, maybe later in the year Go Cornwall can tweak the network more, one the take over of routes settle down and passengers numbers are know better

 

[Goldfish62]

I suspect, maybe later in the year Go Cornwall can tweak the network more, one the take over of routes settle down and passengers numbers are know better

It would help it GCB knew its routes to start with! The saga of the 17 routing continues, with most buses missing out Crowlas Chy-an-Gweal contrary to the published timetable, but correct according to the network map. Although a couple of journeys did operate the correct way yesterday, that appears to have been a one-off.

 

[Andyh82]

One of the annoying things about GCB from an enthusiasts point of view is that there is no way to work out allocations, workings, vehicles requirements etc, it’s just one big mass of vehicles where anything could appear anywhere at any time. Even if there were 4 buses operating a service now, it could be 4 different buses operating it in an hours time. It could be entirely double deck now, and entirely single deck an hour later. If a bus comes in to say Truro as service X, it could leave as service Y, Z, A, B, could go out dead or could park up for an hour.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

One of the annoying things about GCB from an enthusiasts point of view is that there is no way to work out allocations, workings, vehicles requirements etc, it’s just one big mass of vehicles where anything could appear anywhere at any time. Even if there were 4 buses operating a service now, it could be 4 different buses operating it in an hours time. It could be entirely double deck now, and entirely single deck an hour later. If a bus comes in to say Truro as service X, it could leave as service Y, Z, A, B, could go out dead or could park up for an hour.

It may become clearer as operations settle down but I'm sure that they will do whatever is best operationally.

 

[apbj]

Important Travel Information – Services 2 and 3 (Penzance–Helston–Falmouth)

Customers travelling on Services 2 and 3 are advised of a change to how journeys operate in Helston.

What’s changing?
The same bus will operate from Penzance to Helston as Service 2.
At Helston Sainsbury’s, the bus will change to Service 3 and continue to Falmouth.
What does this mean for your ticket?
Although you stay on the same bus, the journey is treated as a new service from Helston.
Customers continuing beyond Helston will normally need to re-scan their pass or purchase a new ticket when the service changes.
Customers boarding in Helston can ask the driver for a through ticket to either Penzance, Falmouth or the stops in between.
Best ticket options
Customers travelling between Penzance and Falmouth are strongly advised to purchase a Dayrider or Weekly ticket. These tickets remain valid across both services and avoid the need to re-scan or purchase another ticket at Helston

Wouldn't it just be easier to say the 2 will no longer run past Helston, rather than trying to overcomplicate things?

And if they're changing back to some 'historic' numbers it's a shame the Truro-Falmouth runs won't become 88/89 as they were under Western National.

 

[Goldfish62]

Wouldn't it just be easier to say the 2 will no longer run past Helston, rather than trying to overcomplicate things?

I think it shows that a significant number of passengers want to travel across Helston. Of course what GCB is doing is deliberate - split the route so that two fares can be charged. The advice given is correct in as much as for a return journey a day ticket will save money (£9 v £12).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Feb 2026 ==

I also think this is a bit of an oversight on GCBs part, especially considering how much of trunk routes the T1/T2 had become under the modern era First Kernow. I'm somewhat glad they've stuck with tradition and not just numbered them something random, but considering they essentially operate as one long route with a split at one end, I think it'd make more sense for them to at least be numbered sequentially and/or a more round and memorable number.

Honestly I think much the same with the U-prefixed routes out of Falmouth, particularly the U1 which is now fairly anonymous and mixed in with the rest as the 32 considering how much of a key trunk route it is and how big of an impact the route has on students at the University. The U4 probably makes a lot of sense returning to the 2/3 though, most of it's routing isn't really Uni-centred anyway and at least 2 and 3 are fairly key numbers denoting it's an important route.

Not particularly a fan of many routes that have historically been almost all decker operated year-round under First (for MANY years) now seemingly being operated with a far more consistently mixed bag of both single and double decks, especially considering the steep drop in frequency across many of them. Notably the 2 and the 17.

The numbering of the 4/4A is counter-intuitive. You would normally expect the direct route and which operates daily, ie via Newbridge, to be the one without the suffix, but in this case it's other way around, with the 4 being via Madron and Pendeen and the 4A being via Newbridge. This appears to have thrown whoever did the map because the routes are labelled the wrong way around!

 

[MaidaVale]

The numbering of the 4/4A is counter-intuitive. You would normally expect the direct route and which operates daily, ie via Newbridge, to be the one without the suffix, but in this case it's other way around, with the 4 being via Madron and Pendeen and the 4A being via Newbridge. This appears to have thrown whoever did the map because the routes are labelled the wrong way around!

Similar problem with the 32 and 32A. I see no logical reason for the more frequent service that operates earlier and later in the day to be numbered as the A variation. To be brutally honest though I don't even see why they need to be two separate services in the first place.

 

[LAIRA]

One of the annoying things about GCB from an enthusiasts point of view is that there is no way to work out allocations, workings, vehicles requirements etc, it’s just one big mass of vehicles where anything could appear anywhere at any time. Even if there were 4 buses operating a service now, it could be 4 different buses operating it in an hours time. It could be entirely double deck now, and entirely single deck an hour later. If a bus comes in to say Truro as service X, it could leave as service Y, Z, A, B, could go out dead or could park up for an hour.

GCB system is do all the work with the least numbers of buses and drivers. If this means buses working lots of different routes so be it. Some duties are designed so a bus starts at one depot and finishes at another to work buses around for maintenence. Up until last week all buses visited Milehouse at least once a year for MOT, but this may now change with extra depots.

 

[SimH]

Wouldn't it just be easier to say the 2 will no longer run past Helston, rather than trying to overcomplicate things?

And if they're changing back to some 'historic' numbers it's a shame the Truro-Falmouth runs won't become 88/89 as they were under Western National.

How far would you like to go back? Until 1969 they were 46/46A!

 

[farwest]

I think the 32 and 32A should have the same stops between Falmouth and Truro. Causing much confusion without stops at Tremough and Carnon downs. Only and hourly service to Tremough.
Tremough was a useful interchange from Helston to Truro, now with an hourly bus from Tremough the connection is too dodgy.

 

[Lizard1324]

Are go cornwall still operating falmouth routes out of helston?

 

[83G/84D]

Saw this rather interesting minibus in Lisbon today. Has a wheelchair space but not sure if it is available in right hand drive or PSVAR compliant ( didn’t see any sign of a ramp). Certainly small enough to get to Mousehole Harbour.

 

[DaveHarries]

Saw this rather interesting minibus in Lisbon today. Has a wheelchair space but not sure if it is available in right hand drive or PSVAR compliant ( didn’t see any sign of a ramp). Certainly small enough to get to Mousehole Harbour.

Looks like that would fit down Mousehole Harbour without any bother but unfortunately it probably wouldn't be able to take all the passengers at busy times.

Dave

 

[83G/84D]

Agree. Would fit but seats are equal to or less than the First Bus Sprinters.