Smartphone apps

Both of the two main bus operators in Cornwall, First and GoCornwall, have smartphone apps available from the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android users. The apps provide a variety of information such as checking departure times and real time passenger information (subject to caveats about the accuracy of the information provided, see real time info) and, secondly, being able to buy mTickets, see Fares.

It is also possible to check what route you may need to take using the journey planners on the apps. You can also view timetables on the apps.

For information on the First website about their app, see First App
Or for GoCornwall, see GoCornwall App
Note that, as of January 2025, the Go Cornwall app has been rebranded as Transport for Cornwall app and incorporates information about other operators. But see my concerns about the new app.

All of the options for tickets, except singles and returns, can be purchased via the apps. These include Cornwall wide tickets and town zone tickets. In the latter case, you need to specify for which town you are purchasing a ticket. Go to the mTickets option in the app and follow the options until you reach the desired ticket. Once purchased, the ticket needs to be activated. Once activated, the ticket will become live and will be usable until it expires. On your phone, in the app, will be a QR code that you put under the reader on the bus ticket machine. There are certain security features built into the QR code to prevent the code being copied and used by someone else.
The expiry dates are as follows:
All Day ticket: by 3 a.m. the next day
All Week ticket: by 3 a.m. in 7 days time
With all of these tickets, do not activate them until the day of travel and you are sure that you will be using it that day.

In addition, as from February 2023, the First Bus app is the way that park and ride passengers can buy multi-day user ticket, but note that there are expiry dates on the multi-day tickets and, unless you are a regular user travelling 2 or 3 days a week, it is probably best to avoid these products. See park and ride tickets.

Please note that users of the apps will have to create an account in order to purchase tickets.