U's a Clever Boy, then? Part the Second

Fal River Ferries

Companies House lists Fal River Co-operative Ltd, based in Flushing (with two directors) as an active company providing "other services" and fbb thinks that it is a marketing service for the various independent ferry operators on the river. The web site lists 5 with a "winter" timetable, plus other summer shuttles run mainly for the sailing community.

King Harry ferry

From Feock (Falmouth/Truro side)
Monday to Saturday 0720 and every 20 min until 2120
Sunday & Bank Holidays 0900 and every 20 min until 2120

From Philleigh (the other side)
10 minutes later than above.
The only car ferry.

St Mawes Ferry (Autumn)

Falmouth Prince of Wales Pier 0830*, 0915*,
       1015 then hourly to 1715
Falmouth Custom House Quay 0945 then hourly to 1645
Crossing time, approx 30 minutes. * = NOT Sundays
The Custom House Quay service is suspended for winter.

The bus info on the map is out-of-date and a waste of web space!

Place Ferry

Runs as required during October and November but ...

... by implication is suspended during December, January and February.

Enterprise Boats

This is more of a "cruise" than a realistic "proper" ferry. At low tide you are unloaded at Malpas and a bus runs you to Truro.

The return journey to St Mawes is on the St Mawes ferry above (code "smf").

Flushing Ferry

every 30 minutes from Falmouth, returning 15 minutes later.

Some of these (but not Flushing and King Harry) are shown on a Fal River bus, ferry and rail map ...

... which illustrates ...

... a termly travel card valid on First buses, the Falmouth national rail branch line (off peak) and the Fal River Ferries.

First Bus web site explains in more detail.

The card and travel services it covers are being supplied by First Fal River, a partnership formed between First Kernow, (a division of the global First Group PLC) and local, family owned, Fal River. With a commercial worth of more than £2,600 (nearly 6 times the price) the card represents extremely good value and gives students and staff a real alternative to bringing a car to university. FalRiver also works closely with businesses across Cornwall, card holders will be offered discounts at a wide range of local attractions, bars, shops, cafés and activity providers. 

The word on the Cornwall Street is that Fal River wanted to tender for the contract to run buses for the University but, after due consideration and tricky negotiation, it was decided to offer a joint deal. fbb has no idea of the detail but the result seems to be that the Mussel Card being looked after by Fal River and the new Unibus services is First's baby.

So tomorrow we take a look at what has happened to the service U1 from the 2013/2014 academic year and how it has taken on a revised look for 2014/2015.

Whoever designed the new scheme is, indeed, a clever boy!

 Next U bus blog : Wednesday 8th October