Bus companies in Cornwall will now accept each other’s tickets in what they called a ‘game-changing development for customers across the county’ who will now be able to travel any bus no matter who it’s operated by with the same ticket. From the beginning of February, passengers have been able to use the same ticket on services operated by First’s Cornwall by Kernow, Go Cornwall Bus, Stagecoach, Hopleys, OTS and Travel Cornwall.
Young people under 19 will also now benefit from half price fares, with local town zone fares dropping to as little as £1.50 per day. Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Go Cornwall Bus, said: “This is a big first step to better value bus travel in Cornwall. Not only does this make travelling around Cornwall by bus easier, for many it will make it cheaper. We are looking forward to working with the other Transport for Cornwall partners to deliver more exciting projects in 2022.”
Simon Goff, Managing Director at Cornwall by Kernow, added: “This partnership is truly innovative we’re all coming together with one clear aim, to make things easier for customers across the county. Our future plans will help transform public transport in Cornwall and we’re really proud to be a part of it. Any ticket any bus is just the start!”
Mike Watson, Managing Director for Stagecoach South West commented: “Stagecoach is delighted to be an integral part of the Cornwall network. It is great that we are now accepting other operator tickets for travel within Cornwall, and that our tickets are now valid on other operators buses too.”
Transport for Cornwall is made up of local bus and train operators and Cornwall Council working together to deliver a transport network which aims to be simpler to use, high quality and offer value for money, with the overall goal of seeing the county’s residents and visitors make more green journeys. Over the next few months, the operators, along with Cornwall Council, will be introducing a variety of schemes including a bus fares pilot backed by the Department for Transport which will see fares reduce further across the county.
Philip Desmonde, Cornwall Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for transport, said: “The efforts of our bus operators in working together to deliver better value tickets for residents is a great step forward. Better value fares are central to the Council’s recently developed Bus Service Improvement Plan, developed in partnership with operators. This is the first step on a journey which will see buses fully support the delivery of a low carbon Cornwall and provide vital, affordable connections for our communities.”
In addition, the partnership also plans to roll out tap on, tap off technology across its services.
