St Austell bus station

St Austell bus station
Location	High Cross Street, St Austell, Cornwall
Coordinates	50°20′23″N 4°47′25″W / 50.3397°N 4.79028°WCoordinates: 50°20′23″N 4°47′25″W / 50.3397°N 4.79028°W
Bus stands	7
Bus operators	First South West
Connections	Integrated with St Austell railway station
History
Opened	1908

St Austell bus station is the main bus and coach terminus for the town of St Austell, Cornwall, United Kingdom. The bus station is located in the forecourt of the railway station, formerly a railway goods yard.

History

The Great Western Railway started to operate what they called 'road motors' from outside their railway station on 3 August 1908. These first services ran to St Columb Road via St Dennis. A bus gagrage was later provided nearby in Eliot Road, next to the railway's new goods yard. The network was progressively extended over the next twenty years, after which time the services were transferred to the Western National Omnibus Company, formed in 1929 to free the railway company from its bus services and avoid complaints about its transport monopoly.^[1] Western National has now become part of the FirstGroup and operates as First South West.

The Eden Branchline service was initially operated by Truronian to connect St Austell railway station and the Eden Project. Other routes were also operated by this company that served St Austell, but it has now been merged into the First South West operation.

Following the closure of the station's southern goods yard, a bus station was constructed in its place. This was redeveloped in 2008, the new facility being opened on 3 November.

Description

The current bus station comprises seven stands and shares facilities such as a taxi rank and buffet with the adjoining railway station which is operated by First Great Western, a sister company to the main local bus operator.

Road access is from High Cross Street, but pedestrians can also enter from Trevarthian Road.

Services

Local services are provided by First South West. Long-distance coach services are part of the National Express Coaches network.

References

1. Cummings, John (1980). Railway Motor Buses and Bus Services in the British Isles 1902-1933, volume 2. Headington: Oxford Publishing Company. ISBN 0-86093-050-5.