13 Aug 2016, 9:53 am
#269
(12 Aug 2016, 11:07 pm)Venturego Tickets may just be far too complex for drivers and customers at large. I have traveled through many European metropolitan areas, where in the main multi modal tickets are issued throughout the area/or a zonal fare scheme is imposed, albeit across all modes of transport within the area.
Contact less payment bank cards are now becoming more accepted with maximum daily fare caps guaranteed,
Example: From just outside Nexus area (e.g. Burnopfield) it's impossible to buy an affordable fare for Newcastle Airport - Actually is more expensive than a taxi ! - as GNE don't serve the Airport, although illustrated on Buzz fare zone map. Transfare expensive for return journey.
Fares should be simple to understand not only for regular users, but also for occasional travellers and visitors to the region.
I would also go further and propose a strong regional Corporate Branding with discreet sub-branding for key routes, only if necessary to be more customers friendly.
A regional brand/logo across all modes of transport accepting multi-modal tickets would also be helpful to customers visiting the area (n.b. Geneva, Berlin, London, Paris etc...) whether it be Nexus, NECA, LA7 or something New?
Should this not be an opportunity for GNE and other operators to exploit?
Can I suggest using ex Nat Express coaches for truly express services from Teeside to Newcastle, then onward journey to Airport, while connecting with local services in Newcastle with provision to use onward tickets to the Airport. Could be at slight premium / with luggage?
Coaches were a common use in 70's for premium express services with limited stops connecting with local services point of connection e.g. Newcastle to / from Teesside (X1 Northern/United joint service), Consett to/from Sunderland (X6 Northern / sometimes SDO - Sunderland District Omnibus), Lanchester/ Greencroft to Ashington/Newbiggin (X30 Northern /United joint service)
Also seasonal Express Coach services to Scarborough via Whitby.
Thoughts?!
(13 Aug 2016, 8:51 am)ne14ne1 Yes I agree.
(Personally I like London buses, and GNE's plain corporate red buses - they look really smart. Obviously we would have our regional 'B' logo for buses where London places it's 'Buses' roundels.
Individual operators who win contracts to run the route can have their logo (small & white) above the front doors, under the cab window, and on the rear.
I also think any new vehicles ordered for city routes should have centre exit doors for ease and quickness, and to future-proof them for further passenger growth).
Venturgo - I still dont think that complex ticketing is really an excuse for not knowing the regions ticketing options. However obviously there is room for improvement.
I don't agree having one multi modal ticket for the region is the answer. For example, I never travel by metro or ferry, so why would I want to pay extra for not using it?
Currently I pay £77.15pm for a red & purple lifestyle pass to get to work & back etc. If I went with Nexus' multi modal ticket - Network One, I'd be paying in excess of £100pm as the ticket only lasts 28 days!
I used to live in Burnopfield and I found the (Pre-October 2015) links to town quick and convenient, however I dont think just Burnopfield suffers from poor links to the Airport. I think this is issue all over T&W
I definately agree with your proposal for the X9/X10 to be extended to the Airport, or for a dedicated Airport bus to be in operation from Newcastle.
NE14NE1: London is London, our cities are nowhere near that size. The main purpose of them having centre doors is so people can alight quicker and board faster due to the short journeys they make. Up here, we tend to travel more than 5-10mins on a bus. I think the single doors do just fine.
Also, I would personally like to live in a non mono-colour world
