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24 Aug 2018, 8:50 pm

#126

(24 Aug 2018, 6:37 pm)Dan The inclusive transport strategy forms part of the Government's proposals to make public transport more accessible for disabled people.

Should they go ahead, these proposals will mandate the fitting of audio-visual Next Stop Announcement systems to almost all buses operating public services.

These proposals also have specific requirements for the audio - one requirement is for the service number and terminus to be announced at every stop where the doors have been opened.

So whilst this is not currently required by law, I'd suggest it's not too far away, and isn't something that is likely to disappear any time soon...

I've driven a lot of buses with Next Stop Announcements, even more so over the last few months since the announcements were changed to announce the service on doors close, and in my view from a drivers perspective you barely hear the announcements. It just blends into the background noise, along with the accompanying rattles, squeaks, talking passengers, etc.

From a passenger perspective, it's much of the same story in my opinion. If you concentrate on something else (your phone, a book, the views outside, the person you're travelling with), have music coming through your earphones, etc, then in my view you tend to blank out the announcements.

If it was "driving passengers mad", I'd expect Customer Services to be receiving a large volume of complaints about it. I wonder if they are?

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I agree. I'm a daily GNE user between Gateshead and Newcastle, mostly using either the Crusaders, Angel, or Citylinks and it doesn't drive me crazy at all - and I've never noticed any other customers commenting on it either.
As you say it often blends into background noise if you aren't purposely listening out for them.

Although when they started announcing after each stop I did suggest shortening them to simply '21, to, Eldon Square', like London's iBus, however I got used to it within a week. Maybe shortening them is something to consider though.

Apart from a couple of vehicles that seem to have missed the update to silence them while the doors open, preventing them from announcing the number/destination twice, I don't really see a problem.

As a Guide Dog volunteer aware of such issues, and as Dan's pointed out, its very important to announce the number and destination upon leaving each stop. This reassures blind & partially sighted people (along with tourists & unfamiliar travellers) immediately that they have boarded the right service, in the right direction.

(24 Aug 2018, 8:46 pm)Jamie M Taxi drivers are never penalised, it shouldn't happen but it always will because they do not care, nor do the police, nor do the council.

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Granted I don't believe a bus lane enforcement camera is in place outside The Gate (as it won't warrant one), to be honest I've only seen the odd stray taxi on that stretch since the changes. Taxis do get penalised on the bus-only Brunton bridge that the Q3 uses however, as theres a camera there and taxis aren't permitted.
You're right that Northumbria Police never seem to pull people over for obvious offences - whether they're taxis or otherwise. Dodgy

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