Rail operator GWR has been slammed as replacement bus services have descended into “chaos”, with one journey from Redruth to Liskeard taking four hours.  

The bus service is in place until Friday between Liskeard and Penzance, also including branch lines to Newquay and Falmouth Docks, due to work to replace old signalling systems replaced with modern digital technology. 

A disgruntled traveller who preferred to remain anonymous contacted the Voice to say his journey from Redruth had fallen into difficulty in Truro, where passengers were told to get off their bus, as it was terminating there; then told to get back on it, as it would go as far as St Austell; then told to get off it again, as it was going to turn round and head back to Penzance. 

“When we eventually reached St Austell, it was chaos, with buses running late and connections missed,” he said.  

“We were told we’d have to wait an hour for the next scheduled service, and yet there were buses and drivers sitting there waiting at the station. They told us they had no authority to do anything without GWR’s say-so.  

“The worst thing was that nobody from GWR was there to explain, make decisions, coordinate, take responsibility, apologise or even just listen,” he continued. “Just before 2pm, I walked around the whole station and couldn’t find any GWR staff at all.” 

The traveller lives in Liskeard, and had travelled to Redruth for a half-hour appointment before heading straight back on the 12.25pm bus service.  

“Being a few hours late wasn’t a big problem for me, but I spoke to two women who were very upset, as they were travelling onto Bristol Airport and looked set to miss their flights,” he said.  

A GWR spokesperson said: “We aware of some issues where buses have been delayed by road conditions, by about 15 minutes, which would have impacted some journeys and we’re really sorry. 

“Anyone who has been disrupted may be entitled to Delay Repay compensation and we would urge them to get in touch. 

“Contingency stand-by buses have been deployed today and we have used local taxis to help keep people moving. We have a full compliment of buses for the remainder of the week, and we will continue to monitor the situation.”