11 June 2025

Cornish College Contracts

Catching up on some Cornish news over the last week or so

One of Cornwall's main bus operators could be shedding jobs after losing a major school contract. First Bus has told its staff that it applied for the Truro and Penwith College tender after the current contract came up for renewal.

Now a memo to staff, leaked to CornwallLive, confirms that the operator has lost the contract when it had hoped the new deal with the college would "revive the First Kernow business and ensure our sustainability long into the future".

The memo to staff, dated June 2, said the firm had hoped the college contract tender "would turn loss-making contracts into agreements that were more financially sustainable".

The message to staff added: "We know this may feel unsettling, as it marks another set of services that will end this year. However, this was the last re-tender results we were waiting on, and knowing its outcome does give us an option to look at other areas of the Cornish network we can invest in - such as further opportunities through Flixbus."

Last month, First Bus also announced its tender for the Cornwall College contract had not been successful with competitor Stagecoach expected to pick up the service from September.

The memo said that the final date of operation will be July 4, adding: "We are assessing the impact of this tender result, it is possible that TUPE may apply and affected employees may transfer to Go Cornwall Bus who won the contract. A meeting has been arranged with Go Cornwall Bus for later this week to discuss this."

The memo added: "We are already in discussions with Stagecoach regarding the school and Cornwall College contract secured by them and are reviewing the pool of employees in scope to TUPE over to them."

The routes affected by the Truro College contract loss are 390, 500, U1X, 100, 200, 300, 400, 470, 600, TCS, U4X, L1, L2, 950, 900, 273, 274, 850, 220, 950P, 271, 272, 890 and 200A.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/first-bus-loses-major-truro-and-penwith-college-contract-putting-jobs-at-risk/ar-AA1G0E9O

This is of course bad news for First who had already lost the Cornwall College contract to Stagecoach.

For Plymouth Citybus this probably helps cover the loss of their Callywith contracts to Stagecoach.

First have already put in cancellation notices for their services:

 Licence  Route  Start Point  End Point
PH0004983.581 200:2 Penzance  Truro via Castle Gate, St Ives, Carbis Bay, Conner Downs
PH0004983.461 220 Penwithick  Truro via Bugle, Whitemoor, Nanpean, St Stephen, Grampound Rd
PH0004983.575 270:271:272:273:274 Mevagissey  Truro via St Austell Bus Station
PH0004983.404 271:272 Callington  St Austell via Lostwithiel
PH0004983.587 390 Camborne  Penwith via Connor Downs, Hayle, Leedstown, Goldsithney
PH0004983.454 400 Illogan  Truro via Mount Hawke, Blackwater, Portreath
PH0004983.617 470 Portreath  Truro via Redruth, Carharrack, Crofthandy, St Day
PH0004983.368 500 St Mawes  Truro via Tregony, Probus- Truro Centre
PH0004983.577 660 Brill Hillcrest  Truro via Mawnan Smith, Mabe Burnthouse, Penryn Campus, Mylor Bridge

PH0004983.188 850 Newquay  Truro via Treloggan, Goonhavern, Perranporth
PH0004983.195 890_1 Victoria Cornwall Services  Truro via Bodmin, Summercourt, Brighton Cross
PH0004983.410 890_2 Launceston  Victoria Cormwall Services via Bodmin, Summercourt, Brighton Cross
PH0004983.202 900:950A Fraddon  Truro via St Columb Major, Padstow
PH0004983.406 900:950 Wadebridge  Fraddon via St Columb Major, Wadebridge
PH0004983.407 950 Boscastle  Wadebridge via St Columb Major, Wadebridge
PH0004983.618 950A Fraddon  Truro via St Columb Major, Wadebridge
PH0005305.094 Coly 1 Fore St, Bradninch Swan Hill Road, Colyford
PH0004983.367 L1:L2 Helston  Truro via Mullion, Cury, Flambards
PH0004983.427 L2_1 Coverack  Helston via St Kevern
PH0004983.447 L2_2 Lizard  Helston via Mullion, Cury, Flambards
PH0004983.576 U1X Falmouth  Truro via Carnon Downs
PH0004983.629 V1 Truro, St Clements Parc  Truro, Railway Station


7 comments:

  1. Where are Stagecoach getting the buses from to run these contracts? They fleet are old and tatty now

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are plenty of double decker's that can be moved around by a large group like Stagecoach. Like Citybus they will be getting a lot of new buses over the next year so many of the older buses will be disposed of or made available for extra services

      Delete
  2. Did here 10918-32 heading down from scotland

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No confirmation as to what fleet is being used or where theyre coming from yet.

      Delete
  3. We forget to mention the students who rely on these withdrawals services to college what provision is there for them to get there in September.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. new contracts have already been set up for these services. I dare say they will be registered eventually if required

      Delete
  4. Rumour has it summercourt depot is potentially being taken over by GCB as first look to reduce liabilities in the wake of losing work.

    ReplyDelete

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