Bus timetables generally change twice a year with “summer” services starting around Easter (20 April this year) and “winter" timetables at the end of August/early September (31 August this year). An indication of the timetable changes that will take effect this year has been published on the Transport for Cornwall website. The specific timetables are not yet available but a listing of the services and brief information about each is now available.
The major changes are in the services that have been associated with the routes to Truro and Penwith College, Callywith College and Cornwall College at St Austell and Camborne. First have lost their contract with Truro and Penwith College to Go Cornwall Bus. Go Cornwall Bus have lost their contract with Callywith College to Stagecoach. Stagecoach have also taken the contract with Cornwall College. Whilst most non college passengers generally have not used the services to the colleges, most of the services have been run as available to the general public and have supplemented provision on these routes.
New services that are resulting from these changes include:
• Go Cornwall Bus 32 from Truro to Falmouth. Described as "New Service to support newly awarded contract for transport services to Truro & Penwith College”. This will undoubtedly impact upon the current U1 service provided by First.
• Go Cornwall Bus 41 Camborne to Truro. Described as "New Service to support newly awarded contract for transport services to Truro & Penwith College.” This could impact upon the First T1 and T2 services.
• Go Cornwall Bus 86 Truro to Newquay. Described as "New Service to support newly awarded contract for transport services to Truro & Penwith College and provide often requested links from Cubert and Crantock to Perranporth for access to health facilities.” This could impact upon the current First 87 service.
• Go Cornwall Bus 2/2A Penzance to Helston. Described as "Additional off peak journeys added to support newly awarded contract for transport services to Truro & Penwith College.” This will impact upon the First U4 service.
• Stagecoach CC1 Pendeen to Cornwall College Pool. Described as "New service contracted by Cornwall College Group.”
Other changes include:
• Go Cornwall Bus 11 that used to extend from Plymouth to Padstow via Liskeard, Bodmin, Wadebridge was essentially split into 2 services, Plymouth to Liskeard, and Bodmin to Wadebridge in the changes made on 20 April although both sections have still be numbered 11. From 31 August, the Bodmin to Padstow section will be renumbered as 57. "Journeys previously operated as part of service 11. Minor revisions to timetable consequent upon changes to session times at Bodmin College and removal of specific journeys for Callywith College. Some journeys at the start and end of the day will run to/from Liskeard.”
• Go Cornwall Bus 484/485/486. "Significant revisions to timetable to improve timekeeping."
Overall, there will be a large reduction in First Bus services across Cornwall because of their loss of the Truro and Penwith College contract and the schools closed route contracts. Plus they will face more competition from new GCB services on some of their key commercial routes. Go Cornwall Bus have lost some routes because of the Callywith College contract but gained with Truro and Penwith College and may be seeking to win some passengers on other First routes. Stagecoach have, until now, only operated in the north-east and south-east of Cornwall but will be spreading further across the county with their winning of Callywith College and Cornwall College contracts including as far west as Pendeen.
The full list of changes can be viewed on the Transport for Cornwall website.
When the new timetables are published, I will post them on this website as soon as I can - likely to be mid-August?