The Truro-Falmouth route has, understandably, been one of the busiest ones in Cornwall. First ran their U1 service between Truro and Falmouth at half-hourly frequencies on weekdays for many years and it always seem to be well used. Then, from September 2025, Go Cornwall Bus decided to introduce a competitive service, no. 32, on this route (and on other First routes) with an hourly service between the two towns. This competition and the consequent reduction in revenue to First was undoubtedly a major factor in First’s decision to exit Cornwall earlier this year, or at least it was the final straw.
Go Cornwall Bus did then increase the frequency of service on the Truro Falmouth route but not at a regular half-hourly timetable from February 2026. Then, in July 2026, their new timetable showed that on schooldays, i.e. after the summer holidays finished, there would be a large gap in the service from Truro to Falmouth in the middle of the afternoon. From 1 September, the 32A service leaves Truro bus station for Falmouth at 15:47, then the next departure no. 32 is not until 17:15, i.e. virtually one and half hours gap in the middle of the afternoon. This is because a significant number of Go Cornwall buses are required to fulfil their Truro College contract at this time leaving none available for the usual public 32 service. Furthermore, the college buses have, since the start of this term, become closed services meaning the general public cannot use them. This issue was raised with me by a resident of Falmouth.
When I raised the issue with Cornwall Council Transportation service, I was initially told, "I have shared the below [i.e. my email of concern} with Go Cornwall Bus as Service 32/32a is their own commercial service.”
A week later, I received a further email saying, "I have received an update from Go Cornwall Bus in regards to the below; They have confirmed they are reviewing the operation of the service and the gap in the afternoon peak and are planning to introduce an additional PM peak service towards the end of October, in response to customer feedback. This is the earliest opportunity that they are able to do this and further details on timings will be shared with customers nearer to the time.”
Then a day later, a further email said, "Go Cornwall have moved the implementation of this forward to Monday 14th September. That is of course assuming that the short notice registration will be accepted by the Traffic Commissioner, we will of course support it. The previous date in late October was aligned to the statutory 6 week registration period.”
I do not yet have a copy of the proposed timetable amendment showing what specifically Go Cornwall Bus will provide to plug the gap but at least it is slightly better than has been the case for the past week and for this coming week.
I will update the timetables page of this website as soon as the new timetable becomes available. A big thank you to Mr J of Falmouth who raised this issue with me.
Update
10 September 2026
Go Cornwall Bus has now published confirmation of the additional service on schooldays afternoons from Truro to Falmouth. A 32A service will leave Truro bus station at 16:40 arriving at Falmouth at 17:30. What has been the 17:15 service from Truro is being put back 5 minutes to leave at 17:20. Other times are, as far as I can see, unaffected. See TfC news item.