12/02/2026
Driver training underway with Go Cornwall Bus. Seconded drivers learning routes ahead of changeover
Driver training is now underway with Go Cornwall Bus, with seconded drivers brought in from around the country to learn Cornish bus routes ahead of the upcoming transition.
Some local drivers have jokingly described the situation as “the blind leading the blind”, reflecting concerns that newly arrived drivers are learning unfamiliar territory who will then go on to train the incoming First
Go Cornwall Bus has seconded drivers from outside Cornwall to help cover potential driver shortfalls and to quickly build route knowledge. These drivers are being provided with accommodation and a reported ÂŁ30 per day meal allowance while based in Cornwall. Not a bad arrangement if you can get it. They can also travel back to see their families at weekends with mileage paid. Good that Go Ahead group is looking after their staff!
The seconded drivers have been brought in primarily to learn the routes so they can train and support former First Bus drivers after 15 February 2026. First drivers who have secured jobs with Go Cornwall are unable to start work until that date because First Bus ceases operations at the end of service on 14 February 2026. As a result, many of those drivers cannot take part in advance route learning under Go Cornwall and will instead receive their route training from the seconded drivers once services transfer.
Some incoming drivers will already know parts of the network, but there have been several changes over the past six years since First operated all subsidised routes prior to Go Cornwall winning the 8 year contract.
Updated route familiarisation is therefore needed to reduce the risk of wrong turns, missed stops, and service disruption during the first weeks of operation.
Whether this approach proves efficient is something passengers will judge once the new operation is underway. Some sources suggest the bigger challenge may be vehicle availability rather than driver numbers, although this should become clearer once full services begin.
At present there is no change to fares. Current capped fare schemes remain in place through 2026, and many services are tied to council contracts. Longer term, some passengers have asked what happens when national fare support ends and competition is reduced. Any future fare decisions would still be shaped by contracts and council partnership requirements, and operators working closely with Cornwall Council would be unlikely to ignore capped fare arrangements while those agreements remain active.
I have also received messages from readers in other parts of the country sharing mixed experiences following Go Ahead Group takeovers, with some reporting later service reductions and fare increases while others report stable or improved networks. Outcomes tend to depend on local contracts, funding, and oversight.
Cornwall has many bus reliant communities and service performance will matter. Passengers who want to influence outcomes should continue contacting operators, MPs and Cornwall Council and raising issues about reliability, connections and coverage as early as possible.
Let me know your thoughts. Is this a good change. Do you expect improvements. Are you apprehensive about the transition. Have you lost services under the new timetable that starts on 15 February 2026.
And one final note with the upcoming takeover. Many who struggle with budgeting due to Universal Credit or other payment schedules are no doubt familiar with TAP n Pay.
Using Tap n Pay on First buses resulted in that if the charge was not taken due to lack of funds, you could still buy a paper ticket if you had funds in your bank at he time of purchase.
We have been informed that Go Cornwall BLACKLIST debit cards that Go cornwall are unsuccessful with obtaining payment from Tap n Pay transactions after a few attempts meaning that you CANNOT buy a paper ticket, even if funds are in your account at the time.
We have been contacted by travellers who have been left abandoned by drivers in isolated dark bus stops when they cannot Tap n pay, due to an outstanding balance- yet are UNABLE to buy a ticket on the bus with their card even with funds in their account.
GO CORNWALL said that if funds are outstanding, debit cards are blacklisted until the customer gets the bank to release funds. A user we helped has found the bank are unaware of anything they can do and it is down to the merchant. A catch 22. We have asked Go Cornwall and Cornwall Council for comment on this and we hope to bring you answers later this week.
NEWBUS TIMETABLES FROM FEB 15TH
https://images-transportforcornwall.passenger-website.com/downloads/TFC%20Timetable%20Book%20-%2015%20Feb%202026.pdf
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