First Bus is to stop all its services in Cornwall from February

One of the largest bus operators in Cornwall has announced plans to withdraw all its services due to rising costs and falling passenger numbers.

First Bus is ending all 14 services by the middle of February 2026, putting 275 jobs at risk.

It has a fleet of 85 buses and also plans to withdraw from its five depots at Camborne, Falmouth, Penzance, Summercourt and Truro.

Managing director for First Bus South Simon Goff said it was an “extremely difficult decision… but we cannot afford to continue with such a heavily loss-making business”.

The company said passenger numbers in 2025 had fallen year 21% fall year on year, which followed a 13% fall in 2024/25.

It had made “extensive efforts to turn the business around and cut costs,” it added.

This included closing smaller outstations like Helston and introducing transformation plans through joint partnership work with Cornwall Council.

Mr Goff said: “This was an extremely difficult decision, which was made after all other options were exhausted.

“We understand this news will be deeply disappointing for our colleagues and passengers, and we want to thank everyone who has travelled with us over the years.”

He added: “Our proposal to exit the market in Cornwall isn’t a process that we have entered into lightly. Above inflation costs, changing travel patterns and recently an increasingly competitive market all added extra pressure.”

The company said it was working with staff affected by the decision and supporting them to find other roles “wherever possible” within First Bus and its parent company FirstGroup.

It will continue to operate its current network in Cornwall as normal until the last day of service on Saturday 14 February.

It said it is working closely with Cornwall Council and other operators “to ensure a smooth handover and in the hope that as many routes as possible can be maintained”.

A council spokesperson said: “This news has come as a shock, and we know it will cause real worry for the passengers who depend on these services every day, as well as for First employees in Cornwall.

“Our bus network continues to face major challenges, and some routes have only survived thanks to targeted extra funding.

“This is a decision First has taken as a company, and our focus now is on finding providers who can take these routes on. We will keep communities informed and provide a further update before Christmas.”