Go Cornwall Bus

[Goldfish62]

Being too cautious? Taking it for granted?

Perhaps they are assessing the network and the opportunities for network developments but remember, First South West lost a lot of money in the period after Covid. It may be wise to take a pragmatic view after taking on much of the First operations (and depot network).

Talking of depots it's known that it was the high overheads relative to the increasingly small fleet that really did it for First in the end. However, Go Cornwall with the acquisition of First's depots now have no less than 18 operating centres in Cornwall (17 if you discount Falmouth even though it's still listed on the licence). That must put the average number of buses per depot at around the same number as First had, therefore same overheads problem.

I'd have expected Scorrier and Newquay at least to have been vacated by now, but perhaps that's all awaiting service changes either in July, or September if the summer uplift doesn't happen.

 

[farwest]

Glad to hear it. Where did you get the timetable from?

I think I printed it from a link on here. It has a Go Cornwall logo on it.

 

[JKP]

I think I printed it from a link on here. It has a Go Cornwall logo on it.

Thé 7/7a timetable is still available though the dates of operation have passed. 7/7a is also listed under bus service updates but you then have to open News to view the timetable.

 

[Leedsbusman]

Talking of depots it's known that it was the high overheads relative to the increasingly small fleet that really did it for First in the end. However, Go Cornwall with the acquisition of First's depots now have no less than 18 operating centres in Cornwall (17 if you discount Falmouth even though it's still listed on the licence). That must put the average number of buses per depot at around the same number as First had, therefore same overheads problem.

I'd have expected Scorrier and Newquay at least to have been vacated by now, but perhaps that's all awaiting service changes either in July, or September if the summer uplift doesn't happen.

Not necessarily - each depot is not equal in terms of overhead. Some are just yards and I suspect with a relatively low rent and much less overhead cost per bus than one with a building (esp an old one), heating, lighting, fuel etc.
I wonder if First spent a lot of time centralising things as their network contracted, rather than keeping more vehicles further out with a consequential dead mileage increase. Outstations have worked well in very rural areas and central depots less so.

 

[LAIRA]

Not necessarily - each depot is not equal in terms of overhead. Some are just yards and I suspect with a relatively low rent and much less overhead cost per bus than one with a building (esp an old one), heating, lighting, fuel etc.
I wonder if First spent a lot of time centralising things as their network contracted, rather than keeping more vehicles further out with a consequential dead mileage increase. Outstations have worked well in very rural areas and central depots less so.

Looe depot is in a farm yard and contains 4 or 5 buses, so not much cost there.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Talking of depots it's known that it was the high overheads relative to the increasingly small fleet that really did it for First in the end. However, Go Cornwall with the acquisition of First's depots now have no less than 18 operating centres in Cornwall (17 if you discount Falmouth even though it's still listed on the licence). That must put the average number of buses per depot at around the same number as First had, therefore same overheads problem.

I'd have expected Scorrier and Newquay at least to have been vacated by now, but perhaps that's all awaiting service changes either in July, or September if the summer uplift doesn't happen.

It's hard to say what really did for First. The loss of the tendered work in 2020, the post Covid period and passenger figures not bouncing back, the largesse of various commercial initiatives, were all likely factors before we saw the loss of the schools and Truro College work.

The GCB fleet should be fine with the level of depot infrastructure vs fleet size

 

[Goldfish62]

It's hard to say what really did for First. The loss of the tendered work in 2020, the post Covid period and passenger figures not bouncing back, the largesse of various commercial initiatives, were all likely factors before we saw the loss of the schools and Truro College work.

The GCB fleet should be fine with the level of depot infrastructure vs fleet size

What puzzles me is that while First cited declining passenger numbers DfT data appears to demonstrate the complete opposite, being 13% higher in Cornwall than in 2019.

 

[Leedsbusman]

What puzzles me is that while First cited declining passenger numbers DfT data appears to demonstrate the complete opposite, being 13% higher in Cornwall than in 2019.

Yes but in 2020 a large chunk of the network was won by Go Ahead on tender and they increased operations since then too. It’s likely First’s patronage in 2025 was lower than both 2019 and 2024. I suspect much of the growth v 2019 was a result of the low fares pilot

 

[Lynford1976]

Thé 7/7a timetable is still available though the dates of operation have passed. 7/7a is also listed under bus service updates but you then have to open News to view the timetable.

Yes - you have to change the date to one when the service is actually running (for example, this coming weekend - 30th/31st May), then press "Update" to see the times.

Oddly, there is no link to the PDF timetable from that page.

The relevant post on the Transport for Cornwall Facebook feed (dated from five days ago) contains a link to a piece on the TfC website, which in turn has a link to a PDF timetable.

 

[Goldfish62]

Yes - you have to change the date to one when the service is actually running (for example, this coming weekend - 30th/31st May), then press "Update" to see the times.

At least they've now updated and removed the old route 7 given that was withdrawn in April!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

What puzzles me is that while First cited declining passenger numbers DfT data appears to demonstrate the complete opposite, being 13% higher in Cornwall than in 2019.

Apologies but I think you may have misread the DfT data. It was 13.2 million in 2024 vs 12.1 million in 2019, though that is still a 9% increase in all fairness.

I think how it can be explained is that even after the dark days of 2020/2021, the passenger figures for 2022/2023 were significantly lower than 2019. The other factor is that we had new services, and enhanced frequencies on many TfC routes after the 2020 package went live. So as a like for like comparison, it may be that there were more journeys but also more miles run. That's before you get into revenue per passenger, and even the variable cost per mile too.

I still remain convinced that First's loss of the tendered work was the first part of things coming apart. Instead, MMH talked a good game about high margin commercial initiatives but many were either overly optimistic or suffered from poor execution at a time of driver shortages. Go Ahead are definitely not as exciting but perhaps we need a period of boring pragmatism than the excitement of Day Tripper (will my connection be there?), Lizard (will my elderly open topper manage a day in service) and Sunseeker (will it actually operate)?

By the time First lost the Truro College and schools work, the gig was nearly up anyway.

 

[Lizard1324]

Seen this post on facebook by Thorntons :https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BY8XBERCh/

Image included.

They look very much like go cornwall livery, i wonder if open tops are returning to cornwall?

 

[fgwrich]

Seen this post on facebook by Thorntons :https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BY8XBERCh/

Image included.

They look very much like go cornwall livery, i wonder if open tops are returning to cornwall?

Also saw that too, it would be nice if they are although I can’t remember how successful the Enviro open tops were compared to the Volvo versions.

 

[Goldfish62]

Seen this post on facebook by Thorntons :https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BY8XBERCh/

Image included.

They look very much like go cornwall livery, i wonder if open tops are returning to cornwall?

Sorry to disappoint everyone, but they've got private YRK registrations and the York Sightseeing fleet uses red E400s with an identical open top conversion.

 

[83G/84D]

I spoke to Mel Williams from GCB about it and he said categorically there are no open top buses due for Cornwall this year. He wouldn’t rule it out for next year though. Possibly, maybe!

 

[Leedsbusman]

Sorry to disappoint everyone, but they've got private YRK registrations and the York Sightseeing fleet uses red E400s with an identical open top conversion.

In that case it’s an old photo.

 

[Lynford1976]

In that case it’s an old photo.

From the commenters underneath, they may be for a part of (what was) Go East Anglia.

 

[Goldfish62]

In that case it’s an old photo.

Why do you that? Thornton's have posted that they've just the conversions?

Anyway, it's all a moot point. They're not for Cornwall so off-topic for us.

 

[Leedsbusman]

Why do you that? Thornton's have posted that they've just the conversions?

Anyway, it's all a moot point. They're not for Cornwall so off-topic for us.

Because SN09CFO which is one of the buses pictured was converted to open top in 2020 by Thorntons and has spent six years in York. They have just used a stock picture.

 

[Goldfish62]

Because SN09CFO which is one of the buses pictured was converted to open top in 2020 by Thorntons and has spent six years in York. They have just used a stock picture.

Very misleading of them to say the least! The post clearly implies they are buses that have just been converted.

Anyway, we should get back on-topic...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Jun 2026 ==

I spoke to Mel Williams from GCB about it and he said categorically there are no open top buses due for Cornwall this year. He wouldn’t rule it out for next year though. Possibly, maybe!

I'm sure Mel would love them back right now, but of course it's not his decision.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So to clarify... The guy from GCB (Mel) says that they aren't getting any. Thorntons have used a stock photo of some in a red livery before they went to York years ago to complement a story that they've pushed out.

Is that it?

 

[Goldfish62]

So to clarify... The guy from GCB (Mel) says that they aren't getting any. Thorntons have used a stock photo of some in a red livery before they went to York years ago to complement a story that they've pushed out.

Is that it?

Yes.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes.

Excellent

 

[83G/84D]

To be fair to the OP it’s easy to understand why a link to Cornwall could be made.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

To be fair to the OP it’s easy to understand why a link to Cornwall could be made.

Because there were some open toppers that happened to be overall red? No vinyls, no other clues, no information from other reputable sources - it's stretching things a bit.

 

[Mollman]

Because there were some open toppers that happened to be overall red? No vinyls, no other clues, no information from other reputable sources - it's stretching things a bit.

Welcome to the Forum

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Welcome to the Forum

Indeed - 13 years in and still marvelling at it

 

[Goldfish62]

So, unless GCB are going to try for short-notice dispensation it looks like time has run out for any summer enhancements from 18th July.

If that's the case, somewhat surprising especially as the tourist industry is widely predicting a "staycation" summer.

 

[YorkRailFan]

So, unless GCB are going to try for short-notice dispensation it looks like time has run out for any summer enhancements from 18th July.

If that's the case, somewhat surprising especially as the tourist industry is widely predicting a "staycation" summer.

Most of the uplifts will start on 26th July. Newquay + Bude Park & Ride will start on 18th July:

Service 7/7A – Land's End to St Ives

Returning for the peak summer holiday period, Service 7/7A will once again provide a scenic connection between Land's End and St Ives.

By making use of our Service 1/1A network, customers will also benefit from improved connections to and from Penzance.



Service 10 – Plymouth to Polperro

Service 10 will be enhanced throughout the summer school holidays, providing an hourly service between Tregoad Holiday Park and Polperro.

Additional evening journeys will also be introduced, offering greater flexibility for residents and visitors alike.

Our Sunday timetable has been revised to follow the same route as Monday to Saturday services. As a result, there will be a minor alteration to Service 73 on Sundays.



Service 19 – Penzance to St Ives

For the peak summer holiday season, Service 19 will provide a direct link to/from St Ives Holiday Village to Penzance, St Ives and Hayle, helping visitors and local residents access one of the region's most popular destinations.



Service 24B – Fowey to St Austell via Polmear

A summer-only Service 24B will operate to provide improved transport links for Polmear, connecting customers with both Fowey and St Austell.

To further enhance connectivity along the south coast, the service will also be extended to Mevagissey with service 29.



Service 26A – St Austell and Eden

26A providing an hourly service throughout the peak summer holiday period.



Services into Newquay

Due to increased traffic levels and higher passenger demand during the summer school holidays, services operating into Newquay will run to revised timetables.

These changes are designed to improve reliability and ensure customers can continue to travel with confidence during the busiest time of year.



Newquay Park & Ride (Service 93) - starting 18th July

The popular Newquay Park & Ride will once again be incorporated into Service 93 between Newquay and Truro.

The service will begin operating one week before the start of the summer school holidays, helping visitors avoid congestion and parking pressures in the town centre.



Bude Park & Ride (Service 130) - starting 18th July

This year, the Bude Park & Ride service will operate an extended route, serving Crooklets Beach Car Park and providing improved access to one of North Cornwall's most popular seaside destinations.



Newquay Night Buses – N1 and New N2 (currently running)

We're pleased to introduce the return of our popular Newquay Night Bus network, alongside a brand-new route.

Operating every Saturday night and Sunday morning throughout the summer, services will run between 00:30 and 04:30.

N1 – Newquay Circular
N2 – Newquay to Perranporth
These services provide safe, reliable, and affordable late-night travel for residents, visitors, hospitality workers, and those enjoying Newquay's vibrant nightlife.

Summer is coming – and It's Better by Bus!

As the summer season approaches, we're delighted to announce a range of service enhancements across our network,

www.transportforcornwall.co.uk

 

[Goldfish62]

Most of the uplifts will start on 26th July. Newquay + Bude Park & Ride will start on 18th July:

Summer is coming – and It's Better by Bus!

As the summer season approaches, we're delighted to announce a range of service enhancements across our network,

www.transportforcornwall.co.uk

Thanks! I'd completely missed this as I've been away.