First South West is a bus company within First Group, operating services within Somerset and Cornwall. Under the First South West company, there are 4 key brands: Truronian (coach fleet), Buses of Somerset (local bus services in Somerset), Cornwall by Kernow (local/network bus services within Cornwall) and 'adventures by bus' ('tourist' based services throughout the South West).
History[]
First South West was known as 'First Devon & Cornwall' until 2015. This had been formed from two previous FirstGroup companies: Western National in Cornwall and south Devon, and Red Bus in north Devon. FirstGroup purchased independent Cornish operator Truronian in April 2008 and merged it into First Devon & Cornwall[1][2]. First Somerset & Avon routes around Taunton and Bridgwater were transferred to First Devon & Cornwall in 2014 and rebranded as The Buses of Somerset.
On 6 September 2015, the Plymouth, Dartmouth and Tavistock garages were taken over by Stagecoach South West.[3][4] Torpoint depot is being used to store the unused members of the fleet. At the same time, First Devon & Cornwall changed their name to First South West to reflect their new area of operation which is only in Cornwall and south Somerset.
In 2021, First South West launched a new brand, 'adventures by bus', incoroporating all of their new 'tourist' orientated routes. The launch of this brand coincided with the launch of a new network of 'daytripper' routes, as well as the relaunch of the coaster routes.
Operations[]
First Kernow (Cornwall by Kernow)[]
Kernow was formed from two previous operators: Western National and Red Bus. First purchased Truronian coaches in 2008, which now forms part of Kernow. It was announced on 6th January 2020 that Cornwall Council had awarded the entire tendered bus network in the country to the Go-Ahead Group from 1st April. This made up half of First Kernow's operation, with them only retaining their commercial routes and the Truro Park & Ride.
Overview:[]
| Garage
Name |
Address |
|---|---|
| Camborne | Union Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8HF |
| Newquay | Western House, St Austell Street, Summercourt, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5DR |
| Penzance | Long Rock Industrial Estate, Penzance, Cornwall, TR20 8HZ |
| Truro |
Outstations:
- Bodmin: Springpark Workshops, Old Callywith Road, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 2DZ
- Falmouth: Tregoniggie Industrial Estate, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4SN
- Helston: The Flambards Experience, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0QA
- Padstow: Field Next Door to Tesco, Trevethan Farm, Sarah's Lane, Padstow, Cornwall, TL28 8LE
- The Eden Project: Bodelva, Par, Cornwall, PL24 2SG
Garage Details:[]
Services:[]
This information is ready for the new summer season 2021.
| Route
Number |
From | via | To | Branding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Penzance Bus Station | Long Rock, St Erth | St Ives Bus Station | |
| 18 | Pendeen, Boscaswell Estate | St Just, Penwith College | Penzance Bus Station | |
| 19 | Madron, Trelawney Estate | Heamoor, Penwith College | Penzance Bus Station | |
| 24 | Fowey, Safe Harbour | Par, St Blazey. St Austell, Pentewan | Mevagissey, Lost Gardens of Heligan | |
| 27 | Truro Bus Station | St Austell, Bugle, Roche | Bodmin, Morrisons | |
| 86 | Newquay Bus Station | Treloggan, Holywell Bay, Goodhavern, Perranporth, RCH | Truro Bus Station | |
| 87 | Newquay Bus Station | Treloggan, Goodhavern, Perranporth, RCH | Truro Bus Station | |
| 91 | Newquay Bus Station | Porth, White Cross, Fraddon, St Erme | Truro Bus Station | |
| L1 | Kuggar Bus Shelter | Lizard, Mullion, Cury | Helston, Tesco | the Lizard |
| L3 | Truro Bus Station | Longdowns | Helston, The Blue Anchor | the Lizard |
| L5 | St Ives Bus Station | Carbis Bay/Halsetown, Hayle | Helston, Sainsbury's | the Lizard |
| M6 | Mousehole Harbour | Newlyn, Alverton | Penzance Bus Station | the Mousehole |
| T1 | Penzance Bus Station | Crowlas, Hayle, Connor Downs, Camborne, Redruth, RCH | Truro Bus Station | the Tinner |
| T2 | St Ives Bus Station | Carbis Bay, Hayle, Connor Downs, Camborne, Redruth, RCH | Truro Bus Station | the Tinner |
| U1 | Falmouth, The Moor | Penryn Bridge, Penryn Campus, Carnon Downs | Truro Bus Station | U Lines |
| U2 | Falmouth, The Moor | Penryn Bridge, Penryn Campus, Lanner | Redruth Rail Station | U Lines |
| U4 | Falmouth, The Moor | Penryn Bridge, Penrugn Campus, Helston, Ashton, Marazion | Penzance Bus Station | U Lines |
| PR1 | Threemilestone, Langarth P&R | Gloweth, RCH, Truro Rail Station, Haven House | Truro, Tregurra P&R | Park for Truro |
| PR1a | Threemilestone, Langarth P&R | Gloweth, RCH, Gloweth | Threemilestone, Langarth P&R | Park for Truro |
| Falmouth P&R | Falmouth, Ponsharden P&R | Falmouth Maritime Museum | ||
| Land's End Coaster | Penzance Bus Station | Land's End, St Ives, Marazion | Penzance Bus Station | |
| Atlantic Coaster | St Ives Bus Station | St Agnes, Newquay, Porthcothan Bay | Padstow Old Rail Station | |
| Falmouth Coaster | Falmouth, The Moor | Maritime Museum, Gyllingvase, Swanpool | Falmouth, The Moor | |
| Exmoor Coaster | Dondiford | Watchet, Minehead, Polock, Countisbury | Lynmouth | |
| Dartmoor Explorer | Exeter, St Davids Station | Longdown, Moretonhampstead, Princetown, Tavistock | Plymouth | |
| Discover Exeter | Exeter, St Davids Station | Red Cow, Exeter Central Station, Paris Street, Haven Banks (The Quay) | Exeter, St Davids Station | |
| S1 | Dairyland Darm Park | Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay Rail Station, Pentire Headland | Newquay Bus Station | |
| S2 | Trevarrian | Watergate Bay, Porth Beach, Newquay Rail Ration, Pentire Headland | Newquay Bus Station | |
| S3 | RAF St Mawgan | Treloy Touring Park, Newquay Rail Station, Pentire Headland | Exeter, St Davids Station | |
| D1 | Newquay Bus Station | Newquay Zoo, Lockengate, Bugle | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D2 | Holywell Bay | Cubert, Hendra, White Cross, Bugle | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D3 | Perranporth | Goodhavern, Monkey Tree, Mitchell, Roche | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D4 | Truro College | Truro Bus Station, Probus Square, Sticker | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D5 | Mevagissey, Lost Gardens of Heligan | Pentewan, St Austell, Carclaze, Trethurgy | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D6 | Mevagissey, Lost Gardens of Heligan | Pentewan, Pineturn Garendens | Eden Poject | Cornwall daytripper |
| D7 | Charlestown, Old Chapel | Pineturn Gardens, Tregrehan Gardens | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D8 | Fowey, Safe Harbour | Polmear, Par Station, Middleway | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D9 | Looe, Tregoad Park | Looe Station, Pelynt, Lostwithiel, St Blazey | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D10 | Lanhydrock | Sweetshouse, St Blazey (Polgrean Place) | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
| D11 | Padstow, Old Rail Station | Winnards Perch, Roche | Eden Project | Cornwall daytripper |
First Buses of Somerset[]
Southern National was formed in 1983 as the Somerset and Dorset operations of Western National. It was privatised in 1988, acquied by FirstGroup in 1999 and rebranded as First Southern National. In 2003, operations were merged into First Somerset & Avon before being relaunched as 'The Buses of Somerset'.
Overview:[]
| Garage
Name |
Address | Routes
Operated |
No. of
Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgwater | Boards Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4BB | ||
| Taunton | Hamilton Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 2EH | ||
| Yeovil | 23 Reckleford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA12 4EJ |
Outstations:
- Minehead: Venners Yard, Brunnel Way, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BJ
Garage Details:[]
Services:[]
| Route
Number |
From | via | To | Branding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parade | Rail Station, Ladymead Road | Parade | |
| 2 | Parade | Rail Station, Lyngford Road, Nerrols Farm | Parade | |
| 3 | Parade | Shutmead | Parade | |
| 4 | Parade | Wheatley Crescent, Roman Road, Laxton Road | Parade | |
| 6 | Parade | South Road, Juniper Road, Normandy Drive, Wordsworth Drive | Parade | |
| 7 | Parade | Queensway, Deane Drive, Claremont Drive | Parade | |
| 14 | Bridgwater | Alfoxton Road, Wembdon | Nether Stowey | |
| 21A | Taunton | Monkton, Heathfield, North Petherton, Dunball, Pawlett, Huntspill, Highbridge | Burnham-on-Sea | |
| 22 | Taunton | Wellington | Tiverton | |
| 22A | Taunton | Wellington | Tonedale | |
| 25 | Taunton | Cotford St Luke, Milverton | Dulverton | |
| 28 | Taunton | Bishops Lydeard, Williton, Watchet | Minehead | |
| 29 | Taunton | Rushton, Creech St Michael, Othery, Ashcott, Street, Glastonbury | Wells | |
| 30 | Taunton | Ilminster, Chard | Axminster | |
| 51 | Yeovil (Abbey Manor Park) | Borough | Yeovil (Cavalier Way) | |
| 53 | Yeovil (Monks Dale) | Borough, Highfield Road | Yeovil (Lyde Road) | |
| 54 | Taunton | Langport, Somerton | Yeovil | |
| 58 | Yeovil | Milborne, Henstridge, Templecombe | Wincanton | |
| 58A | Yeovil | Milborne, Henstridge, Wincanton, Templecombe | Wincanton | |
| 75 | Wells / Street | Glastonbury, Ashcott, Catcott, Wollavington, Puriton, Eastern Avenue | Bridgwater | |
| 77 | Yeovil | Somerton, Street, Glastonbury | Wells | |
| 99 | Taunton | Buckland St Mary | Chard | |
| B1 | Penlea Estate | Bus Station | Sydenham Estate | |
| B2 | Durleigh | Bus Station, Sydenham Estate | Kings Drive | |
| PR1 | Silk Mills Park & Ride Site | Musgrove Park | Taunton | |
| X10 | Yeovil | Milborne Port, Hentsbridge, Sturminster Newton | Blanford | |
| Y6 | Yeovil | Crewkerne, Broadwindsor, Melplash | Bridport |
References[]
- ↑ First to buy Truronian busandcoach.com 15 February 2008
- ↑ Anticipated acquisition by Firstgroup plc of Truronian Limited Office of Fair Trading 11 April 2008
- ↑ First agrees sale of South Devon business to Stagecoach FirstGroup 10 July 2015
- ↑ FirstBus agrees to sell Plymouth operations to Stagecoach Plymouth Herald 13 July 2015