The RMT union has declared a two-day strike on Friday, August 9, and Monday, August 12, along with two days of industrial action withholding overtime on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August. This is expected to cause disruption for travellers using Kernow, Buses of Somerset and Adventures by Bus services.

Truro Park & Ride (PR1 / PR1A) are set to be the only registered bus service to operate a full timetable as normal. However, a Sunday service will operate on Saturday, August 24, and Thursday, August 29, but the Atlantic Coaster will not operate.

All other services may operate depending on driver availability but also prioritising the T1/2 service. The RMT plans for any available staff to be deployed on a modified U1/U1A service between Falmouth and Newquay, focusing on the early morning and later services for hospital staff.

READ MORE

However, no services are guaranteed, and customers are warned to check for the latest updates before travelling. Separately, services to the Boardmasters Festival will run as planned.

A First Bus South West Spokesperson said: "Today we have put a full and final offer forward and the RMT have asked for time to put it to their membership. We are pleased that this time the offer will go in front of their members, after they refused to do so last week, opting instead for industrial action."

"Our full and final substantial offer is an above inflation offer for all pay grades, which follows a significant pay increase of 17.6% in December 2022. Our drivers are paid well above the national minimum wage and we are continually improving working conditions, facilities and enhanced benefits for our people.

"We have provided a package of ways for the RMT to agree with their members which of the Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) they can choose to trade to achieve a higher rate of pay. We provided a clear list of T&Cs and their associated value, and we believe by trading these, this would align with other operators in the area and therefore enable us to provide a higher rate of pay.

"Our businesses in both Cornwall and Somerset cannot sustain a 'no strings' deal without any trading of T&Cs and this would put jobs at immediate risk. Our door remains open and we hope the RMT will now work with us, to allow us to reach a deal which halts the industrial action which not only impacts our colleagues but causes unnecessary disruption to our passengers who rely on the bus."

For the latest information, please go to: