(11 Dec 2018, 5:47 pm)Adrian There isn't really a suitable place for this, and it is probably something that merits it's own discussion thread.
Here's why bus passenger numbers are falling in the North East
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...g-15536961
I think I've said as much before, but seeing as it isn't mentioned in the article...
*Fares.
They need to be attractive. Pricing car users away from car parks doesn't guarantee they will switch to public transport.
It is well documented that the high streets are struggling.
If councils increase parking charges, it makes out of town or Internet shopping even more attractive. It doesn't make the bus more attractive.
*Direct buses.
Having to get 2/3 buses to the town and the same back and paying a premium for the priviledge isn't attractive. Even less so when I'm lumping kids and bags of shopping with me. Even less so when there's very little space on the bus to put the shopping.
Operators need to start looking at their own practices, before pointing the finger at someone else.
They need to accept some responsibility, before blaming someone else.
I've actually been to the town tonight. Popped in with the kids for an hour or two.
Didn't get the bus, because connections and services drop to a level that isn't suitable.
Timings aren't convenient.
The duration of the trip compared to taking the car, wasn't favourable.
I won't have been the only one to have made that decision tonight.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
