(10 May 2021, 11:28 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]Your comments have made me wonder why bus companies dont operate an SMS service,like what taxis do,where you recieve a text confirming if your taxi is on the way,imo it would be useful,especially if you dont use social media,or have a disabilty etc
It's quite expensive to send texts out like. Roughly works out like 2p per every text you send via an API. It's alright for a taxi as they have the margins for 2p but for buses where fares are much lower (or they have a pass) it would soon start to mount up.
(11 May 2021, 7:58 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]It's quite expensive to send texts out like. Roughly works out like 2p per every text you send via an API. It's alright for a taxi as they have the margins for 2p but for buses where fares are much lower (or they have a pass) it would soon start to mount up.
This is why I'd really like to see the roll out of those E-ink timetable displays. They're low power (and solar I believe), relatively cheap, and can be updated remotely and kept up to date with live information.
(11 May 2021, 7:58 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]It's quite expensive to send texts out like. Roughly works out like 2p per every text you send via an API. It's alright for a taxi as they have the margins for 2p but for buses where fares are much lower (or they have a pass) it would soon start to mount up.
Yep, and it's difficult to control volumes.
The better solution would be proper infrastructure investment as part of the enhanced partnerships that are going to be forced upon regions.
With (most) operators now providing data to BODS, we should be able to get this information to passengers in the form of real-time info at all bus stops... not just how many minutes until your bus is due, but it should also be capable of noting delays on route or cancellations.
Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
If the 79/79A was a contract to be taken over by GCT(According to bus org) it has disappeared of the nexus website. It was put up about a week ago and its no longer on there. Does this mean Jh are keeping it
(09 May 2021, 10:43 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]Out of curiosity - are there mechanisms in place to stop a hypothetical operator bidding unsustainably low to win a contract and claiming the shortfall through Coronavirus Bus Service Support Grant?
Is CBSSG paid for tendered services?
(08 May 2021, 6:41 am)GNE6312 wrote [ -> ]Would it not be smart of nexus to limit the amount of tenders (except scholars) with each operator so that in the event that GCT runs into issues such as those mentioned above nexus won't have to rush to tender so many and also there will be no bias (or what may look like bias) to one operator as the contracts will be evenly shared out between all operators.
Not sure if it still applies, but there used to be similar stipulation in London. Was something like no one operator could hold more than 25% of the market.