Transport for Cornwall
Cornwall by Kernow (FirstGroup), other local bus operators | |
Website | https://www.transportforcornwall.co.uk/ |
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Transport for Cornwall (
Transport for Cornwall is responsible for council-funded buses in Cornwall, with various national and local bus companies running the services via franchise. It does not oversee any other forms of public transport in the county, which are limited to passenger rail, air, and ferry services.
History
Before the partnership
Transport for Cornwall branding arose from the One Public Transport System for Cornwall plan, created by Cornwall Council in 2015, when limited devolution powers were given to Cornwall which included public transport governance.[2] Prior to this, the bus network in Cornwall was run by multiple private operators, with no integrated timetabling nor ticketing, with some tendered services being funded by the council to improve rural access. Traveline provided some combined journey planning.
One Public Transport System for Cornwall: Initial partnership
Under Cornwall's first
In January 2020, Cornwall Council awarded
Launch of Transport for Cornwall brand
In March 2020,
Developments since 2020
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Organisation and role
Transport for Cornwall is not an organisation, but a partnership of organisations. However, it does has staff, both direct and seconded from participating companies and Cornwall Council.[citation needed]
The partnership is responsible for training drivers and plans routes. It directly runs most of Go Cornwall Bus services and subsidises others.
Transport for Cornwall's funding comes from a mixture of sources including direct central government funding, direct community development funding, indirect funding such as fare schemes, and private investment in vehicles from member companies.[2]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2023) |
Fares
Under Transport for Cornwall's 'Any Ticket, Any Bus' ticketing system, all participating companies now use one ticket system for journeys inside Cornwall.[6] Despite not being part of the scheme, Stagecoach buses on routes inside Cornwall also accept tickets from other operators, as long as the journey on the original ticket is completely within Cornwall.[7]
Exceptions to the Any Bus, Any Ticket scheme are college and university passes, Park & Ride, and contract buses.
Schemes for reducing fare costs
Transport for Cornwall received £23.5 million in 2022 from the UK Government as a pilot scheme to increase ridership by reducing bus fares. Fares were therefore further simplified and reduced in April 2022.[7]
Tap & Cap
Transport for Cornwall's multi-operator capped contactless ticket system, Tap & Cap, caps travel charges at a maximum of £5 a day or £20 a week (as of January 2023), regardless of the number of trips. Passengers pay onboard by tapping their contactless payment method when entering and leaving the bus. Tap & Cap supports Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Android Pay. However, not all companies in the network offer contactless payment, and other fares (including child fares, town zone fares, singles and returns) cannot be bought via Tap & Cap. These can still be bought using cash or contactless methods from the driver in contactless-equipped vehicles. [8][7]
Town zones
Cheaper fares are available for travel only within 14 defined "town zones": Penzance, Hayle, St Ives, Camborne, Redruth, Helston, Falmouth-Penryn, Newquay, St Austell, Bodmin, Truro, Bude, Launceston, and Liskeard.[7]
Identity and marketing
Inspired by Transport for London's roundel,[9] Transport for Cornwall's logo was designed to give an identity to the network as a whole.
New buses in the network have red Transport for Cornwall livery, and old buses from the various operators are being rebranded.[2] Bus stop signs have been updated with the new branding[10] and Transport for Cornwall has also produced branded integrated bus network maps.
In February 2023 Transport for Cornwall launched the Love The Bus campaign, aimed at youth.[11]
References
- ^ a b "Transport for Cornwall – Funding". Go Cornwall Bus. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Transport for Cornwall prepares to begin operations". Coach and Bus Week. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Cornwall devolution: First county with new powers". BBC News. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ^ "New Contract Award for Go Cornwall Bus". Plymouth City Bus (Go South West). Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Cornwall Transport Plan (Local Transport Plan to 2030) - Evidence Base" (PDF). Engineering Design Group. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Bus Fares Pilot – Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). Transport for Cornwall. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Tickets". Transport for Cornwall. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Tap & Cap".
- ^ "Cornwall Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme" (PDF). Cornwall Council. Transport for Cornwall.
- ^ "Cornwall Transport Plan (Local Transport Plan to 2030) - Evidence Base" (PDF). Engineering Design Group. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Go Cornwall Bus". Twitter.