Great Western Coffee Shop

On the 29th March Plymouth Citybus, under the new banner of "Transport for Cornwall" take over the routes financially supported by Cornwall Council. Currently these are provided, not just by First but also smaller, independent operators like Travel Cornwall and Hopleys.

At first glance no routes are being lost and there are several new ones BUT I can see a problem that most people in mid and West Cornwall would not have for a long time if at all. On quite a few routes, for example the 27 Truro to Bodmin, the service is only financially supported in the early morning and late evenings, meaning that these will be run by TFC but the during the middle of the day they will be operated by First. On others like Truro - Newquay First will work the 91 and TFC the 93.


I have asked both operators and Cornwall Council for a policy on ticketing but have not yet had a reply.

We wait events...

http://www.transportforcornwall.co.uk/timetables/

I did wonder why PCB had set up a temporary depot on a bit of wasteground in Bodmin....... ;)

The ticketing information is simple. First tickets are valid on TfC services where first operate the main service. TfC tickets are not valid on the first services.

There is nothing in place for integrated ticketing. Operators were ready to go with an all operator Cornwall wise ticket range in 2019 before tenders went out, but we’re instructed by Cornwall Council’s ‘Head of Transport’ not to do it because Cornwall Council wanted to be in charge of it and deliver it off the back of the new tenders...

Transport for Cornwall launched in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, merging ex First Kernow's tendered services with other small operators to put all bus services together with a red paint job and a TFC logo slapped on the side.

I myself an sceptical about the whole project, and think it's a vanity project my Cornwall Council.

I wonder how Group Travel of Bodmin are managing having lost all its routes around Launceston which it has held for 15 years.

Will the loss of tendered services by First Kernow lead to a reduction in investment which had begun in 2016 & 2018.

I have merged this post into a "Transport for Cornwall" thread already started so that we can discuss in one place - posting in my moderator role - Grahame

First kernow have won A number of private sector contracts Since the news of the council work being awarded elsewhere.
The most recent announced Last week was the award of all Cornwall college Student services Which sees First Services re-entering Devon, with Bicton college, duchy college on the outskirts of callington, St Austell college, and Camborne and rosewarne (these are in close proximity to each other and share services).
Also preferred operator status for GWR replacements, the last few blockades in the southwest FSW provided full coverage with full psvar achieved.