(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.
His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...
He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.
Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.
(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.
His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...
He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.
Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.
(12 Aug 2016, 6:28 pm)Boggle That expired there at approximately 16:25.
I alighted from 6303 on the following X21 and the passengers travelling to Chester-le-Street were transferred onto there, whilst others waited for the following 21.
(12 Aug 2016, 6:28 pm)Boggle That expired there at approximately 16:25.
I alighted from 6303 on the following X21 and the passengers travelling to Chester-le-Street were transferred onto there, whilst others waited for the following 21.
(12 Aug 2016, 6:56 pm)citaro5284 Aye, prove the buggers wrong, some drivers think they know it all when in fact they know.........
(12 Aug 2016, 8:14 pm)Brian13 A few drivers wouldn't let me on with my pop card. It was on a X21 when they were still Presidents and the other time was on the 45 a fortnight ago. Happened on Arriva X2 (now X12) runs too. I was only going to Gateshead/Metrocentre.
(12 Aug 2016, 6:56 pm)citaro5284 Aye, prove the buggers wrong, some drivers think they know it all when in fact they know.........
(12 Aug 2016, 8:14 pm)Brian13 A few drivers wouldn't let me on with my pop card. It was on a X21 when they were still Presidents and the other time was on the 45 a fortnight ago. Happened on Arriva X2 (now X12) runs too. I was only going to Gateshead/Metrocentre.
(12 Aug 2016, 10:17 pm)ne14ne1 Yeah a few days ago a driver on the 21 said, 'Isn't that just for the Metro', when I presented my POP PAYG card.
I said no its for Metro, Arriva and Go Ahead, and showed him a screenshot I had ready of Go North East replying to my tweet confirming they accept it on all services as of 4th July. It was the first he'd heard of it so he scanned it (twice) and said well the ticket machines not accepting it.
(It was my first time using it so I just paid by cash to avoid any further delay). After a couple more tweets Go Ahead said they'd pass the info on to his depot manager as he should have entered my fare first, then scanned my POP card, then hit issue (twice?)).
Should be fun next time when I have to explain to the driver how to use his own ticket machine. Can imagine that going down well. lol.
(12 Aug 2016, 10:17 pm)ne14ne1 Yeah a few days ago a driver on the 21 said, 'Isn't that just for the Metro', when I presented my POP PAYG card.
I said no its for Metro, Arriva and Go Ahead, and showed him a screenshot I had ready of Go North East replying to my tweet confirming they accept it on all services as of 4th July. It was the first he'd heard of it so he scanned it (twice) and said well the ticket machines not accepting it.
(It was my first time using it so I just paid by cash to avoid any further delay). After a couple more tweets Go Ahead said they'd pass the info on to his depot manager as he should have entered my fare first, then scanned my POP card, then hit issue (twice?)).
Should be fun next time when I have to explain to the driver how to use his own ticket machine. Can imagine that going down well. lol.
(12 Aug 2016, 10:17 pm)ne14ne1 Yeah a few days ago a driver on the 21 said, 'Isn't that just for the Metro', when I presented my POP PAYG card.
I said no its for Metro, Arriva and Go Ahead, and showed him a screenshot I had ready of Go North East replying to my tweet confirming they accept it on all services as of 4th July. It was the first he'd heard of it so he scanned it (twice) and said well the ticket machines not accepting it.
(It was my first time using it so I just paid by cash to avoid any further delay). After a couple more tweets Go Ahead said they'd pass the info on to his depot manager as he should have entered my fare first, then scanned my POP card, then hit issue (twice?)).
Should be fun next time when I have to explain to the driver how to use his own ticket machine. Can imagine that going down well. lol.
(12 Aug 2016, 10:17 pm)ne14ne1 Yeah a few days ago a driver on the 21 said, 'Isn't that just for the Metro', when I presented my POP PAYG card.
I said no its for Metro, Arriva and Go Ahead, and showed him a screenshot I had ready of Go North East replying to my tweet confirming they accept it on all services as of 4th July. It was the first he'd heard of it so he scanned it (twice) and said well the ticket machines not accepting it.
(It was my first time using it so I just paid by cash to avoid any further delay). After a couple more tweets Go Ahead said they'd pass the info on to his depot manager as he should have entered my fare first, then scanned my POP card, then hit issue (twice?)).
Should be fun next time when I have to explain to the driver how to use his own ticket machine. Can imagine that going down well. lol.
(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?!
(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?!
(12 Aug 2016, 11:07 pm)Venturego 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?
Thoughts?!
(12 Aug 2016, 11:07 pm)Venturego 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?
Thoughts?!
(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).
(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).
It has been mention on a number of time that the 19 is going to have buses trialled on them. this will include enviro 200mmc optare solo sr wright streetlite and others
(13 Aug 2016, 10:31 am)Designline It has been mention on a number of time that the 19 is going to have buses trialled on them. this will include enviro 200mmc optare solo sr wright streetlite and others
(13 Aug 2016, 10:31 am)Designline It has been mention on a number of time that the 19 is going to have buses trialled on them. this will include enviro 200mmc optare solo sr wright streetlite and others
New GNE website launches 24th August:
http://www.simplygo.com/news/new-website-coming-soon - will need to get used to that name change!
(13 Aug 2016, 11:18 am)S813 FVK New GNE website launches 24th August:
http://www.simplygo.com/news/new-website-coming-soon - will need to get used to that name change!
(13 Aug 2016, 11:18 am)S813 FVK New GNE website launches 24th August:
http://www.simplygo.com/news/new-website-coming-soon - will need to get used to that name change!
(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?!
(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, 12:01 pm)Andreos1 The issue with tickets has been discussed in the ANE thread previously. They have serious ticket option overkill, particularly on longer routes!
Regardless who the operator is, there is something wrong when passengers are explaining to drivers about what is and isn't accepted on a route.
(13 Aug 2016, 12:01 pm)Andreos1 The issue with tickets has been discussed in the ANE thread previously. They have serious ticket option overkill, particularly on longer routes!
Regardless who the operator is, there is something wrong when passengers are explaining to drivers about what is and isn't accepted on a route.
(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.
His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...
He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.
Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.
(12 Aug 2016, 11:45 am)South Tyne Lad Had a miserable Chester-Le-Street soul driving a President on the 21 2 days ago refusing to let me on his 21 due to it being " A Metro Ticket " Even though It was a CAT Ticket which can be bought from either the Metro or Bus and is valid on both aswell as the Ferry and Rail.
His second excuse was that it had " A, B and C on the ticket " Which is printed on all CAT Tickets issued on the Metro, Common Sense is that A,B and C is all Zones on a Metro ticket...
He said he'd let me on just this once but if he seen me again he wouldn't let me on.
Are Drivers seriously this undertrained on Tickets? The CAT is used by nearly every child in Tyne and Wear.
(13 Aug 2016, 9:53 am)JP6004 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
(13 Aug 2016, 9:53 am)JP6004 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
(13 Aug 2016, 12:12 pm)Adrian I had discussed with an Arriva driver before, and I think we counted double figures in the amount of daily/weekly/monthly ticketing options they have available on the X12. It's no wonder drivers get a bit confused by them.
(13 Aug 2016, 12:12 pm)Adrian I had discussed with an Arriva driver before, and I think we counted double figures in the amount of daily/weekly/monthly ticketing options they have available on the X12. It's no wonder drivers get a bit confused by them.
(12 Aug 2016, 9:53 pm)Ambassador I passed it at 18.50 with no fitter in sight, amazing they'd leave it that long!
(12 Aug 2016, 9:53 pm)Ambassador I passed it at 18.50 with no fitter in sight, amazing they'd leave it that long!
