First bus on campus – Picture from FX Plus
This month, First Bus announced it will cease all services in Cornwall from February 2026.
This decision leaves the county uncertain about the future of its public transport.
Bus routes like the U1, U2, T1, and T2 are being cut, which have been vital to connecting parts of Cornwall.
Discussions are underway with operators to take over the affected routes.
Cornwall Council has been in negotiations with other bus operators, including Go Cornwall.
Their Managing Director Richard Stevens stated: “No community will be left unserved. While the network will not be replicated like-for-like, we will ensure alternative or amended services are available. Our priority is to keep Cornwall connected.”
However, this is not the only challenge facing public transport users.
As living costs rise, First Bus has nearly tripled its fares over the past two years, impacting students, the elderly and less fortunate residents the most.
Jadelle Luckman – Students’ Union president for Falmouth University Picture credit – Falmouth Student Union
The Students’ Union at Falmouth and Exeter University have been advocating for student voices and seeking to hold higher authorities accountable for their actions.
Jadelle Luckman, FXU Student Union President for Falmouth, stated: “Students are having to choose between going to uni or buying lunch. Last summer, a day ticket was only £2.50, whereas now a day ticket is £6.50.”
Whilst it has been argued these trends are echoed elsewhere, some here are angry as they are paying for services that are also unreliable, with routes often having massive delays or buses that don’t even turn up.
Lucy Lusham, who is studying TV and Film Production at Falmouth University, said: “It is very difficult, but there is no way around paying these types of fees.”
The SU is only a charity and therefore isn’t able to solve the current issues with the buses; however, they have been doing their part, offering free bus tickets to those who desperately need them.
FX Plus, the company which provides on-campus services for the two universities. is also exploring a carpooling scheme to help students reach campus at a lower cost. Other universities have used similar systems, which have been said to work well.
Going forward, students and residents hope to see cheaper and more reliable routes, which would help Cornwall become more environmentally friendly, as this will be an incentive for more people to use these routes.
In the coming weeks, more information will be released about who will take over the bus routes.
The Student Union will also continue to push for cheaper and more reliable services.