Truronian = Dartline?

Go-Ahead has confirmed it will acquire Truronian Coaches and the Truro depot from First Bus as part of First’s exit from Cornwall, with the deal completing on 15 February, a day after First ends its local bus services. While no vehicles are included, the existing work commitments are part of the sale. Go-Ahead hasn’t revealed plans for Truronian, though integrating it into Exeter-based Dartline Coaches, acquired in 2022, has been suggested. First says no FlixBus contracts are involved, and staff were told the sale wasn’t originally planned but fits broader changes in the county. 

When First announced its departure in November 2025, Go South West quickly confirmed it would cover most services, though not identically. Go-Ahead has already bought Camborne and Summercourt depots and is set to run the Truro park-and-ride, soon to be served by council-owned electric buses. 

First notes Truronian will keep operating from Truro depot, with all staff protected under TUPE, ensuring continuity for customers. Managing Director Simon Goff praised Truronian’s strong customer relationships and said the sale followed careful consideration, expressing confidence in its future under Go-Ahead.

Interestingly, we now have an official answer on who is running the Truro Park & Ride. Today, we saw the registration for Dealtop - Dartline to operate the service. This suggests that the 'Truronian' operation was purchased under the Dartline licence. It remains to be seen whether they will use the Truronian name or Dartline for these operations.

PH0005305/125

PR1, PR1A

Service type

Normal Stopping

Start point

Tregurra Park

Finish point

Langarth

Effective date16 Feb 2026

The existing Mercedes Citaro buses from the Park & Ride are apparently being transferred to Go Ahead, with fleet numbers 50-57 (formerly First 64050-57). I’m pretty sure I read that somewhere, but I can’t seem to find it right now.

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I’ll be away for the next couple of days, so posting will be limited, but I’ll still be able to publish any comments left on the site. With so much happening right now, any interesting sightings or comments are always welcome!

 

Plymouth Citybus quick fleet notes

 In the last few days before the big event we are seeing quite a few extra buses in Plymouth. 

At least 4047 4048 YX12FOH, YX12FOJ have been out in service in Plymouth.

We are getting a few loans from elsewhere within GoAhead with BlueStar Enviros already here and some at least being seen out in service.

1269 BX09PHK has been out in service in Plymouth at least

loan arrivals include Blue Star branded Scania East Lancs and a surprise Volvo B7TL wright Gemini new to London and still dual door. The Gemini is 1270 LX06EAY for its stay the Scania are 1271 YN56FFE 1273 YN56FFR and 1274 YN56FFO ...1272 is awaited same batch YN56FFK.

Next to arrive E400 from GNE 1281 to 1285 due over next couple of days.

More permanent additions:

Almost ready is the only E400 Hybrid delivered ex EH8 now 4100 this bus may see some service but is intended to be a driver trainer. A second example Ex EH11 to be 4101 is also due and this will be followed by 8 WHV examples 8100 to 8107 due soon.

Clearly we are going to be seeing quite a few different buses in Plymouth next week with so many Plymouth buses going into Cornwall while other buses due for the fleet are still to arrive. The next few months are going to be quite interesting!

Connecting Sparks

I was lucky enough to spot 558 on the 51 this evening at Derriford Hospital.

In the short to medium term for Cornwall Plymouth Spark E400 550 to 558/560/1/2/4 are being temporarily rebranded for Cornwall operation

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Mixed bag of changes

Catching up on notices from the past week or so, and there are quite a few on the list.

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes	Operator
PH1020951.236	2	Saltash	Mount Batten	23-Feb-2026	Changes at Royal Parade	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.381	4 4A 4B	Plymouth City Centre	Elburton & Plympton	23-Feb-2026	changes at Royal Parade?	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.437	6B	Tavistock	Okehampton	23-Nov-2025	Service 6B will be withdrawn from Monday 5 January 2026.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.455	19	Plymouth Royal Parade	Plympton	23-Feb-2026	Royal Parade changes	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0000135.388	32 32A 32B	Truro	Falmouth	15-Feb-2026	Timetable Change Services renumbered and additional journeys added	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH1020951.317	35A (35C)	Torquay Strand	Torquay Strand	01-Feb-2026	From Sunday 1 February 2026, changes will be made to bus services 35A and 35C in the St Marychurch area of Torbay. The changes are being introduced to prepare for the fleet of brand new electric buses entering service across Torbay and the wider Devon area over the coming weeks. To ensure that our fleet of new EV vehicles can operate safely and reliably for customers, an adjustment to the route in St Marychurch is required. As a result of the change: Service 35A will no longer be able to serve Park Road. Service 35C will no longer be able to serve Hartop Road and will instead operate via St Marychurch Road Your nearest bus stop will be on Pavor Road or St Marychurch Road We are working closely with Torbay Council to review the route and consider whether any additional bus stop provision may be possible.  Further work will take place, being led by Torbay Council, to consider whether there are longer term mitigations available.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1093399.027	36B	The Square, St kevern	Tescos, Helston	15-Feb-2026	NEW REGISTRATION: Service renumbered to 36B – no changes to the current timetable (WAS PH1093399.024)	OFFICE & TRANSPORT SERVICES LTD
PH1020951.040	38	Plymouth City Centre	Buckfastleigh	23-Feb-2026	Royal Parade changes?	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.458	59	Plymouth Royal Parade	George Park & Ride	23-Feb-2026	Royal Parade changes?	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH2023951.006	78	Exeter St Davids, Isambard Parade, Exeter	Sandy Park, Stadium Way, Exeter	21-Feb-2026	operates on mens team match days	GREENSLADES TOURS (EXETER) LTD
PH1020951.198	80	Paignton	Plymouth	23-Feb-2026	Royal Parade changes	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0000135.277	96 (95)	Delabole	Wadebridge	15-Feb-2026	Revised timetable on service 96 Selected journeys extended to Wadebridge Tesco (Mon–Fri).	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.395	276	Egloshayle	Truro College	14-Feb-2026	Cancel Service	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.397	280	Marazion	Truro College	14-Feb-2026	Timetable Change	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0005305.123	387	Sidmouth Triangle, Sidmouth	Taunton Rail Station, Taunton	04-Jan-2026	NEW Registration. Monday and Thursday. Will terminate and start from the south side of Taunton Railway Station, instead of Station Bridge.	DEALTOP LIMITED
PH0005305.124	863	A373, Marles Close, Awliscombe	Sidwell Street, Exeter	04-Jan-2026	Wednesday only One journey in each direction per day	DEALTOP LIMITED
PH0004983.640	U4	Helston	Penzance	15-Feb-2026	split service with ph0004983/171cancellation	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED

Dartline has a couple of late registrations for services that began in January. 

Greenslade’s has made changes to their Exeter Chiefs service 78. 

Plymouth CityBus and OTS are gearing up for the big takeover of First Kernow next weekend, while First has announced a few more cancellations. 

Stagecoach’s updates are a bit more notable—the 35A and 35C have been rerouted because their new electric buses are too large for the old route. Most of their other notices, dated 23 February, seem related to changes at the Royal Parade bus stops, with more details expected later this week.

Go Ahead Truronian!

 

News given to staff by First South West today:

We are pleased to confirm that Go-Ahead has acquired Truronian Coaches and the Truro depot, with the acquisition completing on 15th February 2026.

While this acquisition was not part of the original proposal for exiting the Cornwall market, it reflects broader changes in the region. Go-Ahead has already acquired Summercourt and Camborne depots and will operate Truro Park & Ride from the Truro depot.

Truronian Coaches will continue to operate from the Truro depot. All employees are protected under TUPE. Truro Engineers and Cleaners at risk of redundancy will retain their jobs and transition to Go-Ahead.

This acquisition ensures customer continuity and job protection, giving Truronian Coaches a secure future beyond February.

Further information will be provided to affected colleagues, including next steps and support during the transition.

Thank you for your professionalism and commitment during this significant change in Cornwall.

Cornish Jottings..

Just a few jottings from Cornwall I have gleaned over the last few days
A Facebook group called Kernowspace reports that Cornwall Council wrote to First Bus on January 8, 2026, stating they intend to award the Truro Park and Ride contract to Go Cornwall Bus. There’s nothing official confirming this yet. 
According to the Cornwall Buses site, Go Ahead plans to bring in drivers from Go South Coast to help with the extra services. Go Cornwall Bus is set to begin replacing the cut First Bus routes on February 15, but it appears not enough First drivers want to transfer over to fill the vacancies. Go Ahead has asked its Wiltshire drivers if they’d like to be seconded to Cornwall for a few months to cover the shortfall. 
Having said that, some Facebook posts suggest many First drivers aren’t being taken on, which makes sense as fewer drivers are needed with reduced routes and frequencies. If First had been making good profits, they’d likely have stayed in Cornwall, so changes may be needed to make the new network sustainable. 
Hopefully, once things settle, there’ll be room for extra services during the summer season.
http://www.cornwallbuses.org.uk/go-cornwall-bus-need-drivers.html

Meanwhile Citybus have been bringing in quite a fleet of additional buses for the new services which have been arriving at Milehouse. More on these later this week.

The closure has started

This past week has brought quite a few service notices, which I’ve shared in two batches. Let’s start with the cancellations from First South West.

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes	Operator
PH0004983.504	24	St Austell	Fowey	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.196	27	St Austell	Truro	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.625	29	St Austell	Mevagissey	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.501	87	Truro	Perranporth	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.648	87	Perranporth	Newquay	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.172	M6	Penzance	Mousehole	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.462	PR1 PR1A	Langarth	Tregurra	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.174	T2 (T1)	Truro	Penzance or St Ives	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.187	U1	Falmouth	Truro	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.179	U2	Falmouth	Camborne	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.179	U2	Falmouth	Camborne	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.171	U4	Falmouth	Helson	15-Feb-2026	Cancellation: First closing Cornwall bus operations	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED

This isn’t all of them, but I’m sure the rest will follow soon. The second batch covers some of the replacements, along with a few more for Go Cornwall and their partner OTS.

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes	Operator
PH0000135.362	96	Bodmin Parkway	Padstow	15-Feb-2026	timetable amendments: Selected journeys extended to Wadebridge Tesco (Mon–Fri).	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.376	484 485	Truro	Uplands	15-Feb-2026	Revised route and timetable to improve punctuality. Route 486 withdrawn	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.374	493	Truro	Feock	15-Feb-2026	Revised timetable for afternoon journeys	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH0000135.371	496	Malpas Circular	Malpas Circular	15-Feb-2026	Revised route and timetable to provide links to Truro Health Centre and Truro Railway station	PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD
PH1093399.024	33	St Keverne Square	Helston, Tesco	14-Feb-2026	REGISTRATION CANCELLED: Service renumbered to 36B – no changes to the current timetable (SEE PH1093399.027)	OFFICE & TRANSPORT SERVICES LTD

As usual, click through to see the timetables and other details for most of these registrations.