Keeping Cornwall Connected

A lot is happening with buses in Cornwall.

Buses are a real lifeline for people in rural areas. When routes are cut or become unreliable, it creates barriers to work, study, medical appointments, and social connections.

I was really concerned to hear that First Bus will withdraw all its services in Cornwall from February 2026. I have contacted Cornwall Council, First Bus, Go Cornwall, Falmouth University and the union representing workers. My priority is ensuring a seamless continuation of routes so people can still get to where they need to be, while supporting staff who are facing uncertainty so close to Christmas.

I welcome Go Cornwall’s readiness to step in and work alongside Cornwall Council to design a revised network, and I will keep working closely to ensure a smooth handover.

The Government has announced that Cornwall will join a bus franchising pilot, allocating £500,000 to Cornwall Council to design a more reliable network that works for our rural area long-term. It comes ahead of the Government’s Bus Service Bill, which will tighten rules on cancelling vital socially necessary routes. I was also glad to hear in the Budget that there will be an extension of the £3 Bus Fare Cap to keep bus travel affordable and support connectivity, especially in rural areas like ours.