New Bus Fares, Deals & Bundles

New national bus fares have now been set following the expiry of government subsidies. This means many day-to-day tickets have become more expensive; however, this news post outlines the deals and bundles that are available for your commute to-and-from campus and across Cornwall. *  

Two mobile apps exist whereby bus deals and bundles can be purchased via First Kernow or Transport for Cornwall. You can also purchase the standard daily rate tickets via the tap-on-tap-off system on buses.  

Before purchasing any deals and bundles, it is worth considering your commuting frequency and format throughout the year. There are different bundles available that range from weekly to annual bundles.  

If you have any questions, please email the Sustainability team at sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk  

_{* All the deals and bundles featured in this article were available at the time of writing it, in March 2025, but may be subject to change. Please ensure you do your own research prior to making any purchase.} 

First Bus Deals and Bundles:

First Bus age classifications:  

Child age: 6-18 

Adult: 19 +  

Children under 5 travel for free 

Tap-on-tap-off fares: 

The standard tap-on-tap-off rates are below if you are travelling within the Falmouth/Penryn zone. More information on the new standard rates if you are travelling Cornwall wide (including non-students and staff).  

Adult (19+): £2.50 per journey 

Child (18 and under): £2 per journey 

Bundles & deals travelling in the Falmouth/Penryn Zone (Opens in New Tab):

These deals can only be purchased by using your university (student and staff) email address. To purchase a bundle, first download the app and register for an account using your university email address, and authenticate it as instructed.  

Once you’re registered and are signed-in, you can locate the Falmouth/Penryn Zone bundles using the same instructions as those detailed in the First Bus: Penryn and Falmouth Spring Term Bundle Deal article relating to purchasing the Unlimited Travel Penryn/Falmouth Term Time Bundle. 

Penryn & Falmouth Term Student & Staff Bundle (£110) 

If you are travelling frequently within the Falmouth/Penryn zone, this deal gives you unlimited travel for three months. Ensure you purchase this bundle as soon as it is issued to gain the full value of the money before expiry. Ensure you sign up and verify this bundle using your student or staff university email address. You can travel with this bundle on all First buses. For more information, view this deal on the First Bus app.

Penryn & Falmouth Annual Student & Staff Bundle (£280) 

If you are travelling frequently within the Falmouth/Penryn zone, this deal gives you unlimited travel from September to July. Ensure you purchase this bundle as soon as it is issued in September to gain the full value of the money before expiry. Ensure you sign up and verify this bundle using your student or staff university email address. You can travel with this bundle on all First buses. For more information, view this deal on the First Bus app.  

Cornwall Travel Commuter Club (CCTC) (£100 – was £65) 

Signing up to the Cornwall Travel Commuter Club gives you access to purchase the Falmouth and Kernow network deals (more information on these bundles below).  

Penryn Campus – Falmouth Zone (deals vary) 

You can purchase 5-day, 20-day, weekly or monthly bundles using your student or staff university email address. This deal can be used on any First bus service. Ensure you sign up to the Cornwall Travel Commuter Club prior to purchasing any of these bundles. For any more information, visit the First Bus app or contact their customer service team.  

Penryn Campus – Cornwall Kernow Network (deals vary) 

You can purchase 5-day, 10-day, 20-day, weekly or monthly bundles using your student or staff university email address. This deal can be used on any First bus service. Ensure you sign up to the Cornwall Travel Commuter Club prior to purchasing any of these bundles. For any more information, visit the First Bus app or contact their customer service team.  

Transport for Cornwall Deals: 

Transport for Cornwall have launched a new app that includes deals for 19–25-year-olds. Child tickets (under 19s) are set as the same price. These can be purchased by downloading the Transport for Cornwall app.  

19-25 year old bundles: 

Unlimited one day travel on buses across Cornwall: £5 

Unlimited 7 day travel on buses across Cornwall: £20  

Adult bundles: 

Adult bus bundles are available on the app based on the standard rates, however you may find bundles available via the Frist Bus app better value for money.