News – FX Plus

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New Bus Fares, Deals & Bundles

March 14, 2025

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 App Download

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 App Download

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.

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Refreshed Wellbeing Collection at Penryn and Falmouth Campus Libraries

March 11, 2025

In recognition of University Mental Health Day, we are launching our rebranded and refreshed ‘Wellbeing Collection’ at Penryn and Falmouth Campus libraries.

Previously known as the ‘Bibliotherapy Collection’, our library team have consulted with students, the Student Union, and the Wellbeing Team to put together a curated selection of resources to enhance health and wellbeing.

Topics in this collection include:

Neurodiversity, Disability & Chronic Illness
Mental Health Conditions (including Depression and Anxiety)
Nature Therapy and Crafting for Wellbeing
Mindfulness, Meditation and Healthy Sleep
Addiction, Alcoholism & Eating Disorders
Living Well (including Life Skills, Grief, Relationships, and the Menopause)

You can find the Penryn Wellbeing Collection on Level 1, near the Student Helpdesk, and our Falmouth Library Wellbeing Collection next to the Illustrated Book Collection.

Check out our full collection through the Resource List, where you can also request items to be collected from either campus library: https://tinyurl.com/ynzvnbdn

Have any feedback or suggestions for this collection? Please email us at library@fxplus.ac.uk. If you need any further Mental Health and Wellbeing support, visit the relevant student support pages for information on services available to you: https://fxplus.ac.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support/.

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Travel Survey 2025

February 26, 2025

Falmouth University and the University of Exeter are delivering a campus wide travel survey to gather insights into how staff and students are travelling to and from their Cornwall and Devon campuses.

Why your Opinion Matters

Each year we survey students and staff about their experiences traveling to and from campus whether they are working there or studying. If a student, this also includes how you get to campus from your non-term-time address. This information helps us understand how we can make sustainable travel more convenient, sustainable and accessible to everyone. That means looking beyond buses and trains etc. We’re also interested in hearing your views on walking, cycling routes and what services you have access to.

Survey responses will provide valuable information for campus planning, services and infrastructure improvement. Responses will also help improve our carbon profiling as part of the university’s net-zero strategies.

By filling out this survey, you’re helping us understand what works and what needs to be done better. This is your opportunity to have your say and influence our future plans.

This survey is relevant to: all staff and students at the University of Exeter, Falmouth University, FX Plus, Exeter Students’ Guild and Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union.

The more responses we receive, the more influential the data can be so please take a few minutes and fill it in.

Staff Survey Link

Student Survey Link

For students completing the survey, twenty £50 Amazon vouchers have been allocated, split between University of Exeter, Devon campuses and Cornwall campuses including Falmouth University.

Thank you for helping us improve our travel and transport programs

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Holocaust Memorial Day 2025: For a Better Future

February 4, 2025

HMD 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia. Its theme this year was ‘For a Better Future’ and encouraged people to come together, learn both from and about the past, and take actions to make a better future for all.

Last week (27 Jan), FX Plus staff and senior members from Falmouth University, the University of Exeter and the SU, came together to take part in the candle lighting ceremony and exhibition which was held at Truro Cathedral.

“It was a meaningful service, which felt particularly poignant this year as it marked 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. It was a privilege to have been invited to take part in the ceremony – and attend the commemoration with our Jewish Society students,” said Gemma.

Falmouth University Journalism & Creative Writing students attended the day and wrote the following article:

‘For a better future’

By Aimee Bentley, Danielle Hutchinson & Marla Payne (students on the BA Journalism & Creative Writing, Falmouth University)

The Holocaust genocide that occurred in Nazi Germany has been one of the most devastating events in human history.

80 years on from the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, communities continue to keep the memory of those who perished, including six million Jewish people, alive.

This year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme was ‘for a better future’.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) reminds us all of what was lost, and what still needs to change, while connecting different diverse communities and backgrounds.

The service, held at Truro Cathedral on the 27th of January, allowed families of survivors to share their own stories ‘of ‘strength, courage, and community.’

Stalls shared their support, with organisations being represented such as:

Black Voices Cornwall, Inclusion Cornwall, Cornwall Council Refugee Resettlement Service, and LGBTQ+ organisations – Intercom Trust, FFLAG, and Transparent Presence CIC.

Devon and Cornwall Police’s diverse community team was present at the event to ‘engage with community groups and run events (like HMD) across Cornwall to get those conversations going and keep them alive.’

The team believe it is important to educate people on ‘what discrimination is, where it came from and how it can spark up quickly.’

Photograph of the candle lighting ceremony held at Truro Cathedral to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2025. Photograph by Danielle Hutchinson.

Image 1: The candle lighting ceremony held at Truro Cathedral to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2025. Photograph by Danielle Hutchinson.

Image of a display from the exhibition held at Truro Cathedral on Holocaust Memorial Day 2025. Photograph by Danielle Hutchinson.

Image 2: A display from the exhibition held at Truro Cathedral on Holocaust Memorial Day 2025. Photograph by Danielle Hutchinson.

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Alienware Visits Penryn Campus

January 24, 2025

The Dell Tech Explore Tour EMEA will touchdown at Penryn campus to showcase their Alienware Intel gaming equipment. Inside the tour bus you will be able to explore their latest immersive technology and get hands-on experiences with their Dell computers and accessories.

You won’t be able to miss the futuristic roadshow truck, it will be parked outside the Exchange on Tuesday 4 February, from 10:00am until 16:00pm, and looks like a spaceship.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you can find onboard:

The bus is equipped with a variety of Alienware gaming devices, as well as monitors, client peripherals and other accessories.
AI Photo Booth: Take a selfie alone or with friends! Receive an AI generated photo to post on your favourite social platforms.
‘Spin to win’ entries to a draw where you could win a Dell laptop
Get a chance to win Alienware swag
Check out the latest Dell accessories.
And more!

Image of a alienware gaming equipment inside roadshow tour bus with blue neon lights

Image of a large, futuristic looking grey tour bus with Alienware Intel written on it.

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First Bus: Penryn and Falmouth Spring Term Bundle Deal

December 20, 2024

The First Bus Spring Term bundle deal will be available for purchase from the 23^rd of December. The bundle will then be activated for usage from the 6^th of January through to the 4^th of April 2025 and is priced at £110. The bundle provides unlimited travel between Falmouth and Penryn using the U1, U1A, U1E, U2, U3, U1X and the U4.

This deal is available for both students and staff, please ensure you use your student or staff email address to activate the deal via the First bus app.

Standard bus fares and other bundles are expected to rise from January 2025 onwards based on national subsidised bus fares expiring.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to purchase the bundle. Please email our team at sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk for any other questions.

N.B. Due to a processing error, we were made aware that students and staff with Falmouth and FX Plus email domains were unable to validate their tickets. As of Friday 24 January 2025, we received confirmation from First Bus that this issue has now been resolved, and you are now able to validate your ticket. Please do this now, and within the 30 days from when you purchased the bundle. Although you will have been able to use your ticket from 6 January, failing to validate it within the 30 days will result in your ticket being cancelled. If you have any further issues, please contact First bus customer services via the online form on the website.

Step 1:

Download the First bus app and ensure you use your student or staff email address (otherwise the bundle will not be activated).

Step 2:

Select the ‘Tickets’ tab at the bottom of the screen and then select ‘Buy’ at the top of the screen.

Step 3:

This will take you to a ‘select region’ option, select ‘Cornwall’.

Step 4:

Select ‘Penryn Campus’.

Step 5:

Select ‘Student Tickets’ (this is also applicable for staff).

Step 6:

Select ‘Penryn and Falmouth Spring Term’.

Step 7:

Purchase the bundle using your student or staff email address. Please note, the description includes bus titles ‘KUL, KUL1A etc’. Please ignore this as these will be getting updated to U1, U1A, U1E, U2, U3, U1X and the U4.

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Festive Student Christmas Markets at Penryn and Falmouth Campuses

November 26, 2024

Get into the holiday spirit by joining us at the Student Christmas Markets.

When and Where:

Wednesday, 27th November: Upper Stannary, Penryn Campus
Thursday, 28th November: Fox Café, Falmouth Campus
Time: 11 AM – 3 PM

Explore over 30 stalls at each market, featuring handcrafted creations by talented students and graduates, as well as SU societies showcasing their festive events and fundraising initiatives.

What’s On Offer?

Discover a variety of unique gifts and crafts, including:

Prints
Handmade jewellery
Clothing
Crochet
Candles
Illustrated Christmas cards
So much more!!

Take the chance to meet the makers, learn about their crafts, and find inspiration for your Christmas shopping—or perhaps treat yourself!

Featured Maker

Amber Spaargaren, a 3rd-year Illustration student, will be at both markets selling stunning prints and gifts inspired by foraged seaweeds from Gylly Beach. She is raising funds for Medical Aid for Palestine, so don’t miss her table!

Festive Food

Wednesday at the Stannary: Indulge in our Festive Street menu available until 12 December. Enjoy a Christmas turkey curry or a butternut squash masala at the Christmas market and top it off with a warm mulled wine or mulled apple from the Stannary Bar!
Thursday at Fox Café: Enjoy Fox Café’s festive menu available every Thursday until 19th December. On 28th tuck into a turkey or nutless roast ciabatta with sage and onion stuffing, sprout and mustard slaw, gravy and crispy roast potatoes.
Christmas Dinner: A traditional Christmas meal with all the trimmings is available at The Stannary every Thursday until 12th December (12pm – 2pm. £9.50).
Festive pizzas at Koofi: Savour a delicious Pigs in Blankets pizza (£9), Brie and Cranberry pizza (£9), or opt for the Ultimate Festive Feast, plus a free crust dipper! (£11).

Support the Community

We’re collecting donations for the Penryn and Falmouth Foodbank to help those in need this festive season. Donation points are located:

Penryn Campus: Lower Stannary, near the Deli Bar.
Falmouth Campus: Outside the Art shop.

Please bring new, sealed, and in-date food items to support this important cause.

Why Attend?

Celebrate the season, support student crafters, and find one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones—all while enjoying delicious festive treats. Open to students, staff, and visitors alike, these events promise to make your holidays brighter!

We look forward to welcoming you!

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AMATA Photovoltaic Extension Set to Save 20 Tonnes of Carbon Annually

August 28, 2024

A Photovoltaic (PV) extension on the AMATA roof at Penryn campus, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 20.3 tonnes per year, was successfully installed last month (July 2024). It is now fully operational and connected to the high-tech campus PV system. The new PV panels are estimated to contribute over £30,000 of financial savings each year.

This installation adds to the total PV output capacity by approximately 13%, bringing us to almost 1,000 kWp across Penryn campus. This latest addition of PV panels, along with those previously installed on the Daphne Du Maurier building (October 2023) and the roofs of Peter Lanyon and the Sports Centre (July 2023), forms a key part of our carbon reduction programme.

Fergus Chan, Carbon and Energy Manager at FX Plus, said: “we are really pleased to have completed this project, which forms part of our carbon reduction programme to reduce Penryn campus’ demand on energy drawn from the grid by increasing our own ability to generate renewable energy here on campus.”

The PV system at Penryn campus, now spanning across four buildings, will reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 169 tonnes each year. In addition to reducing the universities joint impact on the environment; the financial savings are great, too. In total, the investment is predicted to generate a £145,000 annual cost saving. These calculations are based on 18p/kWh but savings could be greater than this whilst the current unit rate continues to rise. 

To date (August 2024), we have recorded a 60% reduction in our relative energy emissions (electricity & gas) against our 2005/2006 baseline on Penryn Campus (based on per meter squared). The campus PV system is one of the main projects contributing towards this success, as well as other sustainably driven modifications such as LED and electrical upgrades, analytics, and sub-metering upgrades. 

Together, the Universities and FX Plus Estates and Sustainability teams, are tirelessly looking into new technology and finding new ways to introduce green energy initiatives, improve energy efficiency and reduce our campuses reliance on fossil fuels. For more information about this, contact sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk.

Image of the new PV panels on the roof of the AMATA building, looking out across the treetops towards Penryn.

The PV panels pictured on the roof of the AMATA building, surrounded by trees with the Exchange campus building in the background.

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Penryn Campus Celebrates Green Flag Award for Seventh Consecutive Year

July 30, 2024

Falmouth Exeter Plus are pleased to announce that Penryn campus has been honoured with the coveted Green Flag Award for the seventh year in a row.

“I was thrilled to hear that we have once again received the prestigious Green Flag Award, marking our seventh consecutive year of recognition. This accomplishment highlights the exceptional dedication and care shown by the Falmouth Exeter Plus Grounds and Gardens and Facilities Management teams in maintaining our beautiful green spaces,” said Stuart Gaslonde, Executive Director and Director of Infrastructure at Falmouth Exeter Plus.

The Green Flag Award, administered by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, is a benchmark of excellence for well-managed green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and passion of our staff, as well as the invaluable contributions of our volunteers who actively participate in various conservation and sustainability initiatives on campus. Their efforts ensure that our campus remains a vibrant and welcoming environment for all. Thank you to everyone involved in achieving this milestone. Your commitment to excellence is truly appreciated,” adds Stuart.

Each year, the Falmouth Exeter Plus teams implement all sorts of green initiatives that have contributed to this years’ award. One of which is the Wildflower Planting Project at Penryn campus, which recently celebrated over 1,200 wildflower plugs being planted throughout January through to June 2024. The project was first initiated the previous year, by Abishek Dixit and Alastair Garnett, Gardeners at Falmouth Exeter Plus, and is supporting biodiversity on campus and helping wildlife thrive.

“This summer, we’ve seen Goldfinches, Meadow Brown Butterflies and Buff-tail Bumblebees feasting in the wildflower meadows that we planted last year!

“Our new (2024) plantings of Ox-eye daisies, mallows, self-heals, yellow rattle, and many more native wildflower species will further support bees, butterflies, and birds on campus grounds,” explains Alasdair.

Penryn campus is set in 100 acres of countryside, with the grounds and gardens boasting a unique collection of herbaceous beds, subtropical planting and a fruit producing orchard. The site also features outside spaces with historic relevance, such as the Tremough Grotto and Star Pond which was built in 1944 by US forces based here prior to the D-Day landings, an 18th Century lime avenue, and a drive with Pinetum native woodlands and historically rare rhododendrons which were cultivated on the site in the Victorian era.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Penryn campus on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“Penryn campus is a vital green space for the local community to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for users to improve their physical and mental health.

“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

“It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

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Wildflower Planting Project at Penryn Campus 2024

June 13, 2024

At the start of the year (January 2024), the FX Plus Grounds and Gardens team set themselves the target of planting 1,200 wildflowers over the course of the year.

“It was bit of an arbitrary number that meant beating how many we got into the ground the year before,” explains Alasdair Garnett, Gardener at FX Plus.

Through a combination of the conservation volunteering sessions and the continued planting in spare bits of time, we are proud to announce that this week, on 11 June 2024, the team achieved their target.

The honour of planting wildflower number 1,200 was undertaken by Abhishek Dixit, who first initiated the project and conservation volunteering sessions with Alasdair and has just started back with us as part of the Grounds and Gardens team.

All this planting is supporting our biodiversity efforts and helping wildlife thrive on campus.

“This summer, we’ve seen Goldfinches, Meadow Brown Butterflies and Buff-tail Bumblebees feasting in the wildflower meadows that we planted last year!

“Our new plantings of Ox-eye daisies, mallows, self-heals, yellow rattle, and many more native wildflower species will further support bees, butterflies, and birds on campus grounds. 

“We’ll keep planting, and if the weather and time permits then we could end up doubling that number by the end of this year (2024) – you’ll have to wait and see,” says Alasdair.

Below, you can see a photo of wildflower number 1,200 going into the ground and marking this wonderful milestone, as well as some of the other wildflower planting on campus.

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