Dartline to operate Truro park and ride
11 February 2026

I have been reliably informed that the bus company set to take over the operation of Truro park and ride from Monday 16 February will be Dartline.

Dartline runs bus services predominantly in east Devon including park and ride services in Exeter. Dartline is the trading name of Dealtop Ltd., which is 100% owned by Plymouth Citybus Ltd. and shares its registered office address in Newcastle.

It may seem somewhat strange that Plymouth Citybus operating in Cornwall under the Go Cornwall Bus brand is not taking on the contract itself. However, my guess is the explanation is that there is a tax advantage for Citybus to use Dartline as the operator. Dealtop Ltd. posted a loss before tax of £927k in the year to December 2024. This means that if it makes a profit on running the Truro park and ride, the carried forward loss will offset that profit and means it probably will not have to pay any tax on that profit for a year or two.

It is very fortuitous for the Go Ahead group, ultimate owners of Plymouth Citybus and Dartline, that Cornwall Council decided to award them this contract without the inconvenience of having to tender for it!

Update
11 February 2026
The registration of the service with the Traffic Commissioner in the name of Dartline has now been confirmed. See below.