21 Sep 2017, 1:25 pm
27 Oct 2017, 3:53 pm
https://m.facebook.com/simplyGNE#!/story...8829195710&id=215880875709
I've been thinking about this for a while now.
We have apps which show buses on the map and we have information like we see in the link above.
Yet we don't have anything (that I'm aware of) which feeds directly to a website or even a landing page (bear with me on the landing page info).
Using TfL or VTEC as examples, you can find out within seconds about issues or delays on the website, yet with bus operators, we have to fiddle or hunt around.
This applies for people already using a bus and because of the hub n spoke model, are possibly going to get a connecting service at some point.
Why don't operators ensure this information is easily available?
The information in the link above, could be shared as a push message, shared on a WiFi landing page or even put on the website.
I appreciate that a set of bus routes are managed differently to a set of trains on a specific line. However as seen in the example above, all buses in the Dalton Park, Murton and Seaham areas are affected.
The message put out can be as simple as that.
When the upcoming Christmas rush starts, details could be shared quite easily about the inevitable snarl ups at Team Valley or Metrocentre.
Service levels could be tiered in a 'RAG' report.
If I am travelling, I don't want to be searching various places to find out if my journey is delayed. Is it on the app? Is the app even working? Is it on twitter or fb? Do I need to chase up this information on twitter or fb? If I go to the stop, will the information be shared at the few stops with the technology to do so?
A consistent message, which is given to me at source is what I want.
I get that information when I am using the tube and I get that information when using VTEC.
I don't always get it when using the bus.
I've been thinking about this for a while now.
We have apps which show buses on the map and we have information like we see in the link above.
Yet we don't have anything (that I'm aware of) which feeds directly to a website or even a landing page (bear with me on the landing page info).
Using TfL or VTEC as examples, you can find out within seconds about issues or delays on the website, yet with bus operators, we have to fiddle or hunt around.
This applies for people already using a bus and because of the hub n spoke model, are possibly going to get a connecting service at some point.
Why don't operators ensure this information is easily available?
The information in the link above, could be shared as a push message, shared on a WiFi landing page or even put on the website.
I appreciate that a set of bus routes are managed differently to a set of trains on a specific line. However as seen in the example above, all buses in the Dalton Park, Murton and Seaham areas are affected.
The message put out can be as simple as that.
When the upcoming Christmas rush starts, details could be shared quite easily about the inevitable snarl ups at Team Valley or Metrocentre.
Service levels could be tiered in a 'RAG' report.
If I am travelling, I don't want to be searching various places to find out if my journey is delayed. Is it on the app? Is the app even working? Is it on twitter or fb? Do I need to chase up this information on twitter or fb? If I go to the stop, will the information be shared at the few stops with the technology to do so?
A consistent message, which is given to me at source is what I want.
I get that information when I am using the tube and I get that information when using VTEC.
I don't always get it when using the bus.
27 Oct 2017, 4:05 pm
Interesting points, and I agree with what you've said.
I've seen a demonstration of an app which allows operators to make use of push notifications. It allows users to "opt in" if they wish to receive push notifications for service updates. The user selects each service they would like to receive service updates for, and then every time a controller has a service update to publish regarding a specific service, they would tag the update with each service it is relevant to.
Clearly this is relying on a company's passengers having a smartphone with the app downloaded and I'm not suggesting it will appear in the North East any time soon, but for me, this has to be the way forward!
The only issue I think it could cause is potentially becoming overkill and giving a bit too much visibility, possibly becoming a little bit annoying to users.
I've seen a demonstration of an app which allows operators to make use of push notifications. It allows users to "opt in" if they wish to receive push notifications for service updates. The user selects each service they would like to receive service updates for, and then every time a controller has a service update to publish regarding a specific service, they would tag the update with each service it is relevant to.
Clearly this is relying on a company's passengers having a smartphone with the app downloaded and I'm not suggesting it will appear in the North East any time soon, but for me, this has to be the way forward!
The only issue I think it could cause is potentially becoming overkill and giving a bit too much visibility, possibly becoming a little bit annoying to users.
28 Oct 2017, 10:20 am
Bus GPS location system being used to deliver targeted advertising.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/38fcc...f864fcf112
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/38fcc...f864fcf112
28 Oct 2017, 10:56 am
(27 Oct 2017, 3:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]https://m.facebook.com/simplyGNE#!/story...8829195710&id=215880875709
I've been thinking about this for a while now.
We have apps which show buses on the map and we have information like we see in the link above.
Yet we don't have anything (that I'm aware of) which feeds directly to a website or even a landing page (bear with me on the landing page info).
Using TfL or VTEC as examples, you can find out within seconds about issues or delays on the website, yet with bus operators, we have to fiddle or hunt around.
This applies for people already using a bus and because of the hub n spoke model, are possibly going to get a connecting service at some point.
Why don't operators ensure this information is easily available?
The information in the link above, could be shared as a push message, shared on a WiFi landing page or even put on the website.
I appreciate that a set of bus routes are managed differently to a set of trains on a specific line. However as seen in the example above, all buses in the Dalton Park, Murton and Seaham areas are affected.
The message put out can be as simple as that.
When the upcoming Christmas rush starts, details could be shared quite easily about the inevitable snarl ups at Team Valley or Metrocentre.
http://app.arrivabus.co.uk is a website that Arriva has to show you the buses in real time. I use the website a lot because I can’t get the app on my phone.
29 Oct 2017, 7:34 pm
(27 Oct 2017, 4:05 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Interesting points, and I agree with what you've said.
I've seen a demonstration of an app which allows operators to make use of push notifications. It allows users to "opt in" if they wish to receive push notifications for service updates. The user selects each service they would like to receive service updates for, and then every time a controller has a service update to publish regarding a specific service, they would tag the update with each service it is relevant to.
Clearly this is relying on a company's passengers having a smartphone with the app downloaded and I'm not suggesting it will appear in the North East any time soon, but for me, this has to be the way forward!
The only issue I think it could cause is potentially becoming overkill and giving a bit too much visibility, possibly becoming a little bit annoying to users.
Sticking with the rail example, Hull Trains and the one VTEC set have the screens which have scrolling news reports and TfL updates.
Again, something which can be taken up by bus operators and adapted to suit their passengers needs.
(28 Oct 2017, 10:56 am)DavidSBrough wrote [ -> ]http://app.arrivabus.co.uk is a website that Arriva has to show you the buses in real time. I use the website a lot because I can’t get the app on my phone.I must admit that my personal phone doesn't let me use the apps either. My stubbornness and total lack of interest in compromising my phone choice to suit, is one reason why I dont use the apps.
Another, is their reputation for reliability and accuracy.
I gave up with the GNE app on my work phone after one too many glitches, areas of the app being removed 'temporarily', errors and re-boots and obviously there are comments about the accuracy of the ANE live tracking on the forum.
Being honest, I forgot you could follow the tracking via the website.
I suppose it adds weight to my comments about relying on various different sources, just to find out where the bus is.
Unless you fiddle around, click on a specific bus and use some intuition, the live tracking doesn't really tell you about any specific delays either.
29 Oct 2017, 11:19 pm
(29 Oct 2017, 7:34 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Sticking with the rail example, Hull Trains and the one VTEC set have the screens which have scrolling news reports and TfL updates.
Again, something which can be taken up by bus operators and adapted to suit their passengers needs.
I must admit that my personal phone doesn't let me use the apps either. My stubbornness and total lack of interest in compromising my phone choice to suit, is one reason why I dont use the apps.
Another, is their reputation for reliability and accuracy.
I gave up with the GNE app on my work phone after one too many glitches, areas of the app being removed 'temporarily', errors and re-boots and obviously there are comments about the accuracy of the ANE live tracking on the forum.
Being honest, I forgot you could follow the tracking via the website.
I suppose it adds weight to my comments about relying on various different sources, just to find out where the bus is.
Unless you fiddle around, click on a specific bus and use some intuition, the live tracking doesn't really tell you about any specific delays either.
All too often, it's just plain wrong, too. Like that time we waited over half an hour for a 6. The app showed 2 of them passing us, in that time and the woman at the bus stop who ignored my insistence that arriva customer services would be even more in the dark than us and phoned them up just got the message that buses were running as usual with small delays.
24 Dec 2017, 6:35 pm
Looks like Volvo are going to release the "B8L" double deck in some of the markets around Asia but on a Tri-Axle chassis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JFjRWM8-L8
http://landtransportguru.net/volvo-b8l/
http://euro6.volvobuses.com/pdf/Volvo-D8...eet-EN.pdf
Do you think we could end up seeing some produced for the UK markets but only on 2 Axles to target some of the niche markets in the UK? Would be perfect timing come 2019/2020 when the Red Arrows and Tyne Valley Ten B9TLs begin to reach 7-8 years old, not to say that they'll get replaced then of course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JFjRWM8-L8
http://landtransportguru.net/volvo-b8l/
http://euro6.volvobuses.com/pdf/Volvo-D8...eet-EN.pdf
Do you think we could end up seeing some produced for the UK markets but only on 2 Axles to target some of the niche markets in the UK? Would be perfect timing come 2019/2020 when the Red Arrows and Tyne Valley Ten B9TLs begin to reach 7-8 years old, not to say that they'll get replaced then of course.
20 Feb 2018, 8:21 pm
20 Feb 2018, 8:40 pm
(20 Feb 2018, 8:21 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]MCV launches new Volvo B8RLE single-decker
https://cbwmagazine.com/mcv-launches-new...le-decker/
Is it just me, or do the external shots make it look very like a Citaro?
20 Feb 2018, 8:45 pm
(20 Feb 2018, 8:21 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]MCV launches new Volvo B8RLE single-decker
https://cbwmagazine.com/mcv-launches-new...le-decker/
That looks very smart, I imagine EYMS will have an order for these confirmed soon as they like the MCV products.
20 Feb 2018, 8:51 pm
Looks a fair bit better than the demo Arriva had in 2014, and better than Wright's offer since they switched to the "kid with a ruler" front.
Wonder if we'll see any of the big operators place an order? Potential Omni replacements?
Wonder if we'll see any of the big operators place an order? Potential Omni replacements?
20 Feb 2018, 9:20 pm
(20 Feb 2018, 8:21 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]MCV launches new Volvo B8RLE single-decker
https://cbwmagazine.com/mcv-launches-new...le-decker/
Looks alright
Not sure on the name though, "Evora", sounds like a shop for a women.
20 Feb 2018, 10:30 pm
(20 Feb 2018, 8:40 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Is it just me, or do the external shots make it look very like a Citaro?
Its the result of one having an assignation with an E200MMC and a Streetlite (from behind)
28 Feb 2018, 10:08 pm
(20 Feb 2018, 9:20 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Looks alright
Not sure on the name though, "Evora", sounds like a shop for a women.
Pretty decent for a cost of £165,000, wonder how much a Streetlite costs.
More info on the MCV Evora - http://www.route-one.net/articles/Vehicl...a_unveiled
13 Mar 2018, 7:30 pm
(28 Feb 2018, 10:08 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Pretty decent for a cost of £165,000, wonder how much a Streetlite costs.
More info on the MCV Evora - http://www.route-one.net/articles/Vehicl...a_unveiled
The first two these has now been delivered to JJ Kavanagh of Urlingford - https://www.flickr.com/photos/darren_hal...75/in/feed
30 Oct 2018, 8:40 pm
Seeing Michael's post on the Electric ADL reminded me.
TfL are exploring the market to identify AVAS systems for their electric fleet.
EU legislation dictates electric vehicles below a certain speed need to have warning sounds (like when an HGV reverses).
How about the AVAS is tweaked to make a bus engine sound?
Classic Atlantean for deckers and Mk2 National for single deckers?
TfL are exploring the market to identify AVAS systems for their electric fleet.
EU legislation dictates electric vehicles below a certain speed need to have warning sounds (like when an HGV reverses).
'The introduction dates for the mandatory fitment of AVAS would remain as originally specified in (EU) No. 540/2014, i.e. the fitment of AVAS to pure electric and hybrid electric vehicles becomes mandatory from 1st July 2019 for new types of vehicle and from 1st July 2021 for all new vehicles, and any AVAS systems that are fitted voluntarily ahead of these dates must comply with the applicable requirements'
How about the AVAS is tweaked to make a bus engine sound?
Classic Atlantean for deckers and Mk2 National for single deckers?
11 Nov 2018, 12:28 am
07 Jul 2019, 3:49 pm
https://www.facebook.com/8251776107/post.../?sfnsn=mo
Driverless buses ahead? MMC200 undergoes trials.
15 Sep 2019, 8:20 am
15 Sep 2019, 4:00 pm
(15 Sep 2019, 8:20 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]https://twitter.com/acsnottingham/status...02560?s=09
Ratings for operator apps.
Nobody achieved 5*
Good to see the GNE app nowhere on the list, it doesn't even deserve the 2 stars it's got!
15 Sep 2019, 4:42 pm
(15 Sep 2019, 8:20 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]https://twitter.com/acsnottingham/status...02560?s=09
Ratings for operator apps.
Nobody achieved 5*
Doesn't surprise me. I've yet to find a really good app yet. Most of the time I just don't trust them, as they don't fill me with confidence.
Out of the two I really use:
I've been reporting bugs in Arriva's app for over 18 months now, to no avail. Issues with phantom buses being shown as 'tracked', when they've yet to start that trip.
I've also reported data issues with GNE's app several times, also to no avail. Issues with incorrect service numbers showing, e.g. '40BD' in Durham, and also issues that the time until the bus arrives differs from Google Maps. The latter is correct, whereas the app commonly jumps from say 8 minutes to 'due'
15 Sep 2019, 4:45 pm
(15 Sep 2019, 4:42 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]
Doesn't surprise me. I've yet to find a really good app yet. Most of the time I just don't trust them, as they don't fill me with confidence.
Out of the two I really use:
I've been reporting bugs in Arriva's app for over 18 months now, to no avail. Issues with phantom buses being shown as 'tracked', when they've yet to start that trip.
I've also reported data issues with GNE's app several times, also to no avail. Issues with incorrect service numbers showing, e.g. '40BD' in Durham, and also issues that the time until the bus arrives differs from Google Maps. The latter is correct, whereas the app commonly jumps from say 8 minutes to 'due'
In my experience, the most accurate way to track the bus is actually with Google Maps! Sure, it doesn't work all the time, but it's more reliable than the GNE app for sure!
The Arriva one I do actually quite like, it works for the most part except from the occasional service that doesn't show up
15 Sep 2019, 5:12 pm
(15 Sep 2019, 4:42 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]
Doesn't surprise me. I've yet to find a really good app yet. Most of the time I just don't trust them, as they don't fill me with confidence.
Out of the two I really use:
I've been reporting bugs in Arriva's app for over 18 months now, to no avail. Issues with phantom buses being shown as 'tracked', when they've yet to start that trip.
I've also reported data issues with GNE's app several times, also to no avail. Issues with incorrect service numbers showing, e.g. '40BD' in Durham, and also issues that the time until the bus arrives differs from Google Maps. The latter is correct, whereas the app commonly jumps from say 8 minutes to 'due'
The service number issue will never be resolved in the current app - '40BD' is the service number internally, with the 'D' suffix standing for Durham.
Interesting that Go North West's app has a higher rating than the rest of the Group who use that app (EY excluded).
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
15 Sep 2019, 6:03 pm
(15 Sep 2019, 5:12 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The service number issue will never be resolved in the current app - '40BD' is the service number internally, with the 'D' suffix standing for Durham.
Interesting that Go North West's app has a higher rating than the rest of the Group who use that app (EY excluded).
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
I'd imagine it's because there's less installs and less buses to track. If you read the reviews, the same issues are there
15 Sep 2019, 9:25 pm
(15 Sep 2019, 4:42 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]The tracking on some of them higher rated apps on that list are dire from my experiences (particularly Borders Buses, EYMS and Transdev Go which are pretty much the same) usually open it and if nothing is there at the exact point you are you have little luck at finding the bus on the app, zoom out and nothing appears and you get loss of connection message pop up, gave up using those three for that and often just look on BusTimes if I want to locate a particular bus on a certain route.
Doesn't surprise me. I've yet to find a really good app yet. Most of the time I just don't trust them, as they don't fill me with confidence.
Out of the two I really use:
I've been reporting bugs in Arriva's app for over 18 months now, to no avail. Issues with phantom buses being shown as 'tracked', when they've yet to start that trip.
I've also reported data issues with GNE's app several times, also to no avail. Issues with incorrect service numbers showing, e.g. '40BD' in Durham, and also issues that the time until the bus arrives differs from Google Maps. The latter is correct, whereas the app commonly jumps from say 8 minutes to 'due'
16 Sep 2019, 6:21 pm
When I used the arriva appt regularly where I used to live i never ever had any issues with it. In fact it was so accurate I could sometime get an extra pint in the club , neck it and still catch the bus. Now this GNE one, where do i start............. the one that comes to mind is clicking on the bus stop i'm heading to and it says bus in 10 minutes, tracked. Get there and it says arrive in 7 minutes............. as it pulls away from the bus stop! I did tweet GNE to ask if the bus stops were accurate ( the bus left 3 minutes early by my watch too) and they couldn't give me a straight answer . Plus the bus i missed wasn't tracking visually on the appt but then appeared near Salisbury at the team valley about 10 minutes later!
17 Sep 2019, 12:28 pm
(16 Sep 2019, 6:21 pm)Rob44 wrote [ -> ]When I used the arriva appt regularly where I used to live i never ever had any issues with it. In fact it was so accurate I could sometime get an extra pint in the club , neck it and still catch the bus. Now this GNE one, where do i start............. the one that comes to mind is clicking on the bus stop i'm heading to and it says bus in 10 minutes, tracked. Get there and it says arrive in 7 minutes............. as it pulls away from the bus stop! I did tweet GNE to ask if the bus stops were accurate ( the bus left 3 minutes early by my watch too) and they couldn't give me a straight answer . Plus the bus i missed wasn't tracking visually on the appt but then appeared near Salisbury at the team valley about 10 minutes later!
I've been reporting issues with the GNE app since it first launched, and I keep getting the generic responses of 'I'll pass it on to the developers' or more recently 'It'll be fixed in the next update', but after several updates, the issues persist.
I once had to catch the southbound X21 from Fram, and the GNE app said I still had 9 minutes for the bus, so I walked to the stop and the informations screen said the same as the app. I waited 15 minutes and no bus turned up, so I checked the app again and it was apparently departing Durham in less than a minute, but still said 5 minutes in Fram!
That wouldn't have been such an issue if the southbound X21s actually showed up on the tracker, but since the changes in May, they haven't.
21 Sep 2019, 7:18 am
(17 Sep 2019, 12:28 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]
I've been reporting issues with the GNE app since it first launched, and I keep getting the generic responses of 'I'll pass it on to the developers' or more recently 'It'll be fixed in the next update', but after several updates, the issues persist.
I once had to catch the southbound X21 from Fram, and the GNE app said I still had 9 minutes for the bus, so I walked to the stop and the informations screen said the same as the app. I waited 15 minutes and no bus turned up, so I checked the app again and it was apparently departing Durham in less than a minute, but still said 5 minutes in Fram!
That wouldn't have been such an issue if the southbound X21s actually showed up on the tracker, but since the changes in May, they haven't.
Glad im not the only one having problems with it.
21 Sep 2019, 3:44 pm
(21 Sep 2019, 7:18 am)Rob44 wrote [ -> ]
Glad im not the only one having problems with it.
Judging by the 2.7 star on the Google Play store and 1.9 star on the App store, I'm guessing everyone else has issues with the app as well!