Truro is park and ride to get seven new electric buses – but it needs someone to drive them

The future of Truro’s parking service has been uncertain for several months after First, the current operator, gave Cornwall Council six months’ notice to terminate the contract from August 2023. An agreement was reached between First and Cornwall Council to extend service – which is worth £4.5m and provides 60,000 passenger journeys a month – by the end of this year.

Park and ride now reaches a critical stage with the announcement that the council is inviting tenders to provide the service from 17 January 2025 to 31 March 2028. The bus service has terminals at each end of the city with 1,379 cars. parking spaces at Tregurra and 1,209 at Langarth.

The Council currently owns eight buses which are leased to the operator to provide the service and are maintained, fueled and insured by the operator. The new tender notice reveals that thanks to government funding, the council will bring seven electric buses into service to upgrade the fleet and install charging infrastructure on car parks and rides.

Read more: Park and ride could be ‘reimagined’ after bus company pulls out

Read more: Truro Park and Ride bus company axes ‘unsustainable’ service.

It also states: “There is also an opportunity for bidders to outline their plans for better use of the terminal buildings and demonstrate how, through this contract, they can bring social value to Cornwall.” Could this mean ticket offices will now become cafes, restaurants or other retail businesses?

The announcement adds: “The council is inviting interested bidders to tender for our Truro Park & ​​Ride bus service, which aims to be the mode of choice for residents, visitors and commuters when accessing Truro. We are looking for an operator who will share our vision that Truro Park & ​​Ride is a flagship service, providing a reliable, regular and affordable travel option in Truro.

“The service route takes in key destinations including Truro College, the Royal Cornwall Hospital, New County Hall and the city centre. This high frequency service currently operates from 6.30am to 7.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Buses run between ten and 15 minutes. at peak times to suit the needs of commuters and those visiting Truro.”

For more details, see the purchase document.