Better Buses, Fewer Cars: What Cornwall’s Residents Really Want
Cornwall’s buses are a lifeline for many, but residents say there’s still a long way to go before they’re a true alternative to the car.
How We Travel Now…
Most of those who answered still rely on their cars. Almost nine in ten respondents have easy access to one, and four in five say it’s their main way of getting around. Only 3% mainly use public transport in Cornwall. The top reasons? Convenience, speed and reliability – all things people feel buses struggle to match.
Who’s Using the Bus?
About two-thirds of those surveyed have taken a bus at some point in the past year. Most use them for leisure or social trips rather than work or errands. For many, buses are a cheaper alternative or simply the only choice if they don’t drive (one in eight of respondents do not have regular/easy access to a car). A few mentioned using buses to enjoy a pint without worrying about drink-driving.
What People Like…
Bus users generally feel safe and find services easy to access. Around seven in ten said accessibility is good, and most were satisfied with cleanliness, safety and cost. Many also said timetable information is accurate enough, though not always easy to find or understand.
What Frustrates People…
The single biggest complaint is how often buses run. Nearly half of users said frequency is poor, and more people were unhappy than happy with punctuality or reliability. Cancellations, delays and long waits may not be the norm, but they can have a big impact when they do happen, and make it hard to trust the service. Fares, journey times and information quality were seen as “okay but could be better”.
What’s Changed – or Not?
Half of respondents said they hadn’t noticed any changes in Cornwall’s bus services over the past year. Of those who had, almost one in three felt things had got worse – mainly because of higher fares, fewer routes and worsening reliability.
Is Cornwall’s Bus Network Accessible to All?
While most regular users said buses work fine for them personally, nearly three-quarters of those who expressed a view felt the wider network isn’t accessible enough for everyone, especially with some rural locations being poorly served. Others raised accessibility issues for older people and those with mobility challenges.
What People Want to See Next…
Asked how to improve local buses, one answer came up again and again: run them more often. Nearly a third of respondents called for better frequency and reliability. Other top requests were:
- Improve punctuality / reliability
- Better links to rural areas
- Lower fares and more affordable tickets
- Improved evening, Sunday and commuting services
In short…
Cornish residents want buses that are frequent, reliable, affordable and covering more rural locations across the county – a network that genuinely helps people leave the car at home.