12 Nov 2017, 10:22 pm
#154
(12 Nov 2017, 12:00 pm)ne14ne1 I've noticed a few and it is much clearer and easier to read, but having the destination simply as 'Newcastle' or 'Gateshead' isn't that helpful, especially further along the routes for people then boarding at stops within Newcastle or Gateshead.
Okay for Gateshead or South Shields I suppose, GNE are presuming passengers will presume the final stop is the town centre, but in my opinion 'Newcastle' isn't quite informative enough.
Its okay if you already know the local bus numbers/routes, but imagine you are visiting Edinburgh or London - an approaching bus with the destination simply as 'Edinburgh', or 'London' wouldn't be of any use. (Granted it may be the case for non stop buses/coaches coming from outside of the areas?).
Anyway, my point is maybe a New York flip style destination would be more helpful, so for example on the Crusader the destination screen would either display 'Newcastle' for 2 seconds, then 'Market St W' for 2 seconds in a cycle, OR display 'Newcastle Market St' for 2 seconds, then 'via Gateshead Interchange' or 'Gateshead Town' for 2 seconds.
Thats just my tuppence worth for today. 
(12 Nov 2017, 2:18 pm)Andreos1 In total agreement.
Granted there's not likely to be many tourists who use the 2 (the example I drew on last week), but an irregular passenger boarding in Penshaw, could be quite concerned to see the bus taking quite a journey via Chester Road, Sunderland City Centre and various other areas of Sunderland. As opposed to the trip in the car that would take them through the Herringtons and take it mere minutes.
I was under the impression the blinds were in place to assist passengers. Not cause confusion.
Yes, the same point hit me. Buses from Durham to Sunderland spring to mind, here. Pretty much every day i catch the Arriva 22, at Durham, someone catches it wanting Sunderland. Because the destination says Sunderland and the timetable is headlined with Sunderland, so people who don't catch many buses think that's the bus they need. They're generally alarmed when they hear it takes 90 minutes (or so, now). Even most of the drivers will signpost them to the 20/20A - a bus that runs ever 10 minutes to South Shields. No one who doesn't know their routes notices that it would get them into the centre of Sunderland in under an hour.
On a similar note, few buses in Durham are just local buses, as Durham is so small. Consequently, there's often someone looking confused, waning a bus to Gilesgate or Dragonville and not knowing what to catch. There are 2 papr maps (out of date, mind) and the interactive screen at the entrance of the bus station which help to work our what you need, but a lot of people find these confusing and walk up and down the bus station reading timetables - missing out the 64 in the process!
Actuall,y on the X21, a via point saying no, we don't stop on Blackett street and this bus has never stopped on Blackett Street so just bog off now and take your attitude with you. While you're here, if you want Chowdene, then get the 21 and save yourself the embarrassment, eh?
Though all of that was usurped by a couple who sat upstairs on the X70, yesterday, got as far as Sunniside, the turned round and asked us if the bus stopped at Team Valley.
