First Bus pulling out of Cornwall
21 November 2025

First Bus has announced that it is pulling out of Cornwall with effect from February 2026.

This is breaking news and more details will be published as soon as they are available.

Update
21 November 2025
Following the announcement by First Bus to its staff this morning, media statements have now been released by First, by Go Cornwall Bus (who are likely to attempt to take on some of the routes abandoned by First), and by Cornwall Council.

First has confirmed the pullout, saying, "The difficult decision has been made in the face of ongoing financial challenges intensified by above inflation costs, a significant fall in passenger numbers (21% fall year on year on top of a 13% fall in 2024/25) and increased competition.” This is their full statement.

Go Cornwall Bus says, "We want people to know that any area currently served by these routes will continue to have access to bus services. While the network will not be replicated like-for-like, we will ensure alternative or amended services are in place. Our priority is to keep Cornwall connected.” This is their full statement.

Cornwall Council says, "This news has come as a shock, and we know it will cause real worry for the passengers who depend on these services every day, as well as for First employees in Cornwall.” This is their full statement.

Whilst Cornwall Council says that it is shocked, the move by First has not come as a surprise to most bus industry observers, including this one. The writing has been on the wall for a long time as First has tried to secure better terms on some contracts, lost other contracts, voluntarily given up services, closed some small depots, and has suffered from deliberate moves by Go Cornwall Bus to pinch some of its passengers on its flagship mid-Cornwall services. See previous stories on this website:
August 2023: First gives notice on park and ride contract
September 2024: First secures new park and ride contract
February 2025: First withdraws all open top buses from Cornwall
March 2025: First messes up on ploy with school transport contracts
June 2025: First loses Truro College contract
August 2025: New timetables show competition faced by First from Go Cornwall Bus
October 2025: Go Ahead go in for kill, bus industry expert’s view

It was, therefore, inevitable that First would, at some point give up on Cornwall. Go Cornwall Bus may be celebrating achieving a virtual monopoly of Cornwall’s bus services but it is a bad day for passengers and a slap in the face for the supposed “partnership” ethos of the Transport for Cornwall brand. And it will mean that Go Cornwall Bus will be able to screw the council taxpayer in any future contract negotiations on subsidised routes.