tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post283454889594214285..comments2024-03-25T19:07:29.729+00:00Comments on Steve's Bus & Train Page: £1.50 - That'll Do Nicely!Steve Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-17682096955093510462018-09-10T12:33:06.415+01:002018-09-10T12:33:06.415+01:00Beestons 236
I have never ever seen such a biza...Beestons 236<br /><br /><br />I have never ever seen such a bizarre timetable. It spends about 5 hour 45 minutes dead running or sitting on a stand and only 5 hours 15 minutes in service. I cannot see it lasting long. Why have they come up with such a daft timetable ? The route cannot be busy , it must be loosing a fortune with a timetable like that<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-12553275744928239322018-09-10T06:37:20.404+01:002018-09-10T06:37:20.404+01:00Many bus operators all over the UK still use ticke...Many bus operators all over the UK still use ticket machines that are unable to even scan bus passes (like Wayfarer 3 machines for example). So i imagine that this probably happens a lot but just nobody is aware as there is no way to find out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-31451050614657057422018-09-10T00:34:32.656+01:002018-09-10T00:34:32.656+01:00Being blunt, I'm not sure I'd give any odd...Being blunt, I'm not sure I'd give any odds on what I suspect are the profitable bits of Essex: the X30, 100 and, probably Hadleigh, still being in First's hands in six months. Ensign calls. Interestingly Ensign have it seems issued an unsolicited rallying call emphasising their reliability and commitment to the local network, something of which I suspect we could never accuse First Essex. Hardly necessary for Ensign to reassure the passengers, though; they'd be dancing in the streets! Redeploy the resources, problem solved. Well not quite, they've some breathing space, and FB another basket case (but that is something First Bus ought to be used to by now) and by then it might be someone else's problem anyway!smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-16624365644639565032018-09-09T03:58:51.844+01:002018-09-09T03:58:51.844+01:00We know First would sell anything, if the sale cre...We know First would sell anything, if the sale created shareholder value, because they keep telling us so. It doesn't, since nobody will pay what they think it's worth; presumably because it's such a mess.<br /><br />But I have a suspicion the local Essex issue is much more longstanding. No effective two way communication; between tiers of management, let alone with their drivers or passengers. It was the same before nationalisation under NBC, as part of NBC, under the management buyout afterwards, once Badgerline bought them, and when they merged with GRT to form First. Of course they're not the only ones, and as in any walk of life you can buy your way out of (almost) any problem. First, like many of us though, don't have the money; having broke the bank in the US. So the straw breaks the camel's back.<br /><br />The dilemma of that old nun: just how do you deal with a problem called Maria?smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-62388922945138252232018-09-09T02:08:10.675+01:002018-09-09T02:08:10.675+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-91505251785871487532018-09-08T22:00:55.597+01:002018-09-08T22:00:55.597+01:00Rumours of First Bus wanting to divest their bus o...Rumours of First Bus wanting to divest their bus operations have been around for some time. The likelihood is if it happened it would be split up. I cannot see anyone wanting to buy the entire operation. Some bits might go to management buyouts. One problem is the government might be concerned about monopolies Some bits might get no interest at all which would pose a problemAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-20030054483737285012018-09-08T21:49:56.663+01:002018-09-08T21:49:56.663+01:00Trying to make sense of bus companies fares and ti...Trying to make sense of bus companies fares and tickets is a black art and much fares and ticket information is not even published. Even what regulation is in place is largely ignored for example non flat fare buses are supposed to display a fare table on the bus or print one out for you on request but you try to find one on a bus or get the driver to print you one off most of the ticket machines are not even capable of printing them. AS for ticket option it is almost impossible to establish what ticket options are available<br /><br /><br />It shows just how abysmal most bus management is. They seem to go out of there way to make tickets as complex and confusing as possible and then not even advertise the tickets. It is little wonder that each year bus usage declineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-42085670019672626542018-09-08T15:32:58.959+01:002018-09-08T15:32:58.959+01:00There's a multi-operator Essex Saver too. Mind...There's a multi-operator Essex Saver too. Mind you, try to buy or use one. Figuring out this ticketing lark needs an academic degree, though most students would struggle. No wonder the poor drivers have given up. <br /><br />It does though allow all day Sunday county-wide travel on both subsidised and commercial services for £4.20 (not £1.50, I know!); but £10 the rest of the week because apparently it has to be more than the single operator comparables (or presumably they wouldn't participate). It can't be bought on-line though; that's beyond the ability, or the resources, of the County Council! Or perhaps we could try to understand supermarket pricing, though I'm not sure Tesco or Waitrose yet offer differential pricing depending on the day of the week!! Though if they followed the buses' example they wouldn't let us know anyway! smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-2404138717179143782018-09-08T14:18:00.333+01:002018-09-08T14:18:00.333+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-39064531284582727112018-09-08T14:07:47.043+01:002018-09-08T14:07:47.043+01:00The Explorer Scheme run by Intalink in Bedfordshir...The Explorer Scheme run by Intalink in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire is admireable. Generally ok , as long as drivers know what they're looking for.Transit UK980https://www.blogger.com/profile/10938486799939148068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-20688087827303932622018-09-08T14:05:22.182+01:002018-09-08T14:05:22.182+01:00Just out of interest locally Colchester Borough ha...Just out of interest locally Colchester Borough have multi-operator tickets, and First/Go-Ahead for the 88, but both are Council initiaves. Mind you, both drivers and passengers, as well as the Twitterati, get confused. The transport business isn't good at explaining itself, it seems. As others have said, mostly the governing politicians just aren't interested. Not glamorous enough I suppose? <br /><br />I think there's room for both cycles and buses, by the way. Just the politicians seem to have one track minds, and integration doesn't seem to be a word in their vocabulary. Or they have a very short attention span. smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-33849495669144852562018-09-08T09:00:43.416+01:002018-09-08T09:00:43.416+01:00Ho, ho. It's looking like the everlasting tric...Ho, ho. It's looking like the everlasting trickle of departing drivers from First Essex has turned into a flood. Did someone try to copy the Stagecoach school of management apparently, without the resources (again)? Don't you need to leave your staff with a reason to stay with you? They've managed to achieve the double: buses without drivers, and drivers without buses. The staff do actually need looking after, as well as the passengers. Management is about more than strategy. People aren't things. <br /><br /><br />Running buses is much more than fixing the market, or publishing timetables and fare tables (which give some operators enough trouble). If it weren't then all those cowboys would still be around. It's the bits we don't see too, like working conditions and maintenence. But out of sight, out of mind; as ever.<br /><br />I've asked before how messy a collapse could be? Perhaps we now have the answer; very. I'm not sure there's a rabbit in the hat, or a magician in sight.<br /><br />I gather CVC private equity are now reported to be sniffing around First Group. They have their work cut out. I hope they have deep pockets; and sharp knives, perhaps.smurfukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04812247601237248526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-14393370268513769612018-09-07T21:11:43.175+01:002018-09-07T21:11:43.175+01:00Yes, the website isn't clear. However it does ...Yes, the website isn't clear. However it does give this information: "If you are using your iff card this is valid on Newport Bus journeys operated on the route but at this time, sorry, iff app tickets are not valid". The whole route is in the CardiffBus "Day to go" area so they don't issue returns - the implication is that they can be used on either company's buses but it doesn't actually say. I don't pretend to understand the Newport fare structure!Andrew Kleissnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-41944512375735003872018-09-07T18:57:08.927+01:002018-09-07T18:57:08.927+01:00Well some bus companies manage to get around it. T...Well some bus companies manage to get around it. There is the service 30 between Newport & Cardiff that is jointly operated between Cardiff Bus & Newport transport. Tickets used to be jointly accepted whether they still are I don't know as trying to find specific fares information is almost impossibleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-2793030187300701362018-09-06T19:10:43.357+01:002018-09-06T19:10:43.357+01:00Thanks.Thanks.Andrew Kleissnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-78880828186372193752018-09-06T16:59:37.860+01:002018-09-06T16:59:37.860+01:00Bus market inquiry launched
This was launched a w...Bus market inquiry launched<br /><br />This was launched a while back. Still time to make submissions though.<br /><br />I suspect it will be just another hot air exercise though<br /><br />https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/news-parliament-2017/health-of-bus-market-inquiry-launch-17-19/ Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-22705759554914765792018-09-06T16:39:32.188+01:002018-09-06T16:39:32.188+01:00No, nothing like that, Andrew. The anti cartel leg...No, nothing like that, Andrew. The anti cartel legislation means operators cannot collaborate on timetables to benefit the passenger, but there is absolutely nothing to stop them accepting an integrated ticket, as has been going on for over half a century in the South East.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-51072484270834181932018-09-06T15:57:20.434+01:002018-09-06T15:57:20.434+01:00Is it anti-cartel legislation that makes this impo...Is it anti-cartel legislation that makes this impossible? I seem to think that, in Manchester, bus services are run by several companies yet one lot of ticketing covers nearly all of them. And I don't think it's run like London, with one overall authority contracting everyone in - folks here may know how it works, better than I.Andrew Kleissnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-72468406335396934682018-09-06T13:04:02.420+01:002018-09-06T13:04:02.420+01:00You could have some great unplanned days out by...You could have some great unplanned days out by bus around here if you didn't have to buy so many different types of tickets . Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-19084271820222832912018-09-06T12:45:12.648+01:002018-09-06T12:45:12.648+01:00In heated agreement with that.In heated agreement with that.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-43377866147193364442018-09-06T09:53:37.354+01:002018-09-06T09:53:37.354+01:00When services are so few and infrequent integrate...When services are so few and infrequent integrated ticketing in my view is essential in fact we need an integrated bus network so they can be run efficiently. The problem with this is I would not trust politicians to organise it. They are clueless when it comes to transport and a Quango would be just as bad. So whilst I think an integrated bus network is needed and that means integrating it with rail as well I don't know how it could be sensibly achieved<br /><br /><br />At the moment bus companies and councils are driving people away from buses as the services are so poor and expensive<br /><br />Someone posted why do bus enthusiast travel largely by car well it is probably because it is the only viable option and not because they want to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-55409120641889692362018-09-05T18:28:24.199+01:002018-09-05T18:28:24.199+01:00Yes it was as far as I know. Apparently Simmonds d...Yes it was as far as I know. Apparently Simmonds didn't want it so ot becomes part of the purple line, which will be aroyal paun in the bum for those people who used to use the 83 one way and 84 tje other as tickets will no longer be valid on both routes. Another step backwards and more passengers lost I suspect. When, in the name of all that's holy, are we going to get integrated ticketing in this region.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-8870237459091865022018-09-05T17:23:24.493+01:002018-09-05T17:23:24.493+01:00I think that was down too the loss of the contract...I think that was down too the loss of the contractAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-22012940590533095122018-09-05T14:12:21.665+01:002018-09-05T14:12:21.665+01:00I suspect more of it is going on but it is probabl...I suspect more of it is going on but it is probably difficult to pick up. This one got picked up I suspect because of card that had been used 23,000 times<br /><br />Whether there is any software to pick up this sort of thing I don't know. It would not be to difficult to develop something to pick up abnormal uses of concessionary passes<br /><br /><br />To some extent as well it depends on what information is collected by the ticket machines. An app could soon pick up things like the same pass being used on two different routes at the same timeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-51496098760574387262018-09-05T13:01:12.791+01:002018-09-05T13:01:12.791+01:00Another Konect / Anglian service is to go , H...Another Konect / Anglian service is to go , Harleston Norwich 83 . Interesting one First employee said it was in competition with First to Long Stratton . It will now be an extension of a coloured route from First. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com