Reversing the decline in passenger numbers
Reversing the decline in passenger numbers
(09 Dec 2020, 2:22 pm)tvd Some of the negatives of bus travel even now are that the bus doesn’t go to where people want to go, they’re too infrequent, don’t run on an evening or on a Sunday, have to change buses.. and so on.
If it ever came to be that millions of people couldn’t afford cars, without huge and expensive changes, many people wouldn’t be able to travel to work, particularly in lower paid jobs.
In those circumstances it would be virtually impossible to connect all local towns and villages in any local area with a realistically good enough bus service.
For most parts of the country I would guess a comprehensive local demand responsive transport network would have to be in place, like a bigger and better version of our Tees Flex.
(09 Dec 2020, 2:22 pm)tvd Some of the negatives of bus travel even now are that the bus doesn’t go to where people want to go, they’re too infrequent, don’t run on an evening or on a Sunday, have to change buses.. and so on.
If it ever came to be that millions of people couldn’t afford cars, without huge and expensive changes, many people wouldn’t be able to travel to work, particularly in lower paid jobs.
In those circumstances it would be virtually impossible to connect all local towns and villages in any local area with a realistically good enough bus service.
For most parts of the country I would guess a comprehensive local demand responsive transport network would have to be in place, like a bigger and better version of our Tees Flex.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/public-tr...2706307137
Free online event relating to poor bus provision, privatisation and poverty. Might see you there!
I was looking for some inspiration relating to some work I'm doing at the moment.
Came across this
https://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/191...ling-city/
Private bus firms failing city.
https://takeaction.cpre.org.uk/page/7425...CountryTD2&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Banner2SharingBCountry&utm_campaign=TD2&fbclid=IwAR1FslWfqMH12Y8svTRtOXOpE1ZbyhoLDa-xOknKccMGJHZqegnuTM8s4mk
An interesting petition being undertaken.
Whilst I agree with the principle of it, I'm not sure that it is anyone's responsibility to fund - other than the operators (under current legislation).
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/...ing-rights
When the UN state that privatisation is failing passengers, you know there's something up.
Will try and find the full report.
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1...bus-costs/
'but, but, but... Priority measures! We need priority measures!'.
Which bus operator will bleat about the increase in traffic around St Leonards first?
(19 Jul 2021, 5:11 pm)Andreos1 https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/...ing-rightsIt wasn't the UN though was it?
When the UN state that privatisation is failing passengers, you know there's something up.
Will try and find the full report.
(19 Jul 2021, 5:11 pm)Andreos1 https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/...ing-rightsIt wasn't the UN though was it?
When the UN state that privatisation is failing passengers, you know there's something up.
Will try and find the full report.
(24 Jul 2021, 3:01 pm)Andreos1 https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1...bus-costs/I often wonder why they have stagecoach buses on some of their runs. Can't be the cheapest, surely.
'but, but, but... Priority measures! We need priority measures!'.
Which bus operator will bleat about the increase in traffic around St Leonards first?
(24 Jul 2021, 3:01 pm)Andreos1 https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1...bus-costs/I often wonder why they have stagecoach buses on some of their runs. Can't be the cheapest, surely.
'but, but, but... Priority measures! We need priority measures!'.
Which bus operator will bleat about the increase in traffic around St Leonards first?
Are links to business parks really that key anymore? The vast majority of employers aren’t going back full time, even in a post COVID world.
You can see why a bus company (business) would go after a growing leisure market versus a dwindling employment centre market.
(29 Jul 2021, 9:58 pm)Ambassador Are links to business parks really that key anymore? The vast majority of employers aren’t going back full time, even in a post COVID world.
You can see why a bus company (business) would go after a growing leisure market versus a dwindling employment centre market.
(29 Jul 2021, 9:58 pm)Ambassador Are links to business parks really that key anymore? The vast majority of employers aren’t going back full time, even in a post COVID world.
You can see why a bus company (business) would go after a growing leisure market versus a dwindling employment centre market.
(29 Jul 2021, 10:03 pm)Storx No money in leisure though really, your commuters are the money makers who have season passes etc. Some pensioners and kids going to the supermarket and cinema occasionally won't keep bus routes going. I'm guessing it's why we're seeing more of flexi tickets etc as they know without any commuters they're finished. Business parks are definitely still important imo.
Not to mention the chain effect of, well I drive to work, I might aswell drive to the cinema.
(29 Jul 2021, 10:03 pm)Storx No money in leisure though really, your commuters are the money makers who have season passes etc. Some pensioners and kids going to the supermarket and cinema occasionally won't keep bus routes going. I'm guessing it's why we're seeing more of flexi tickets etc as they know without any commuters they're finished. Business parks are definitely still important imo.
Not to mention the chain effect of, well I drive to work, I might aswell drive to the cinema.
(29 Jul 2021, 9:48 pm)streetdeckfan Has the 21 extension been confirmed?Thought it was deemed as inevitable, as it was announced donkeys ago before being put on hold. Of course that could have all changed and the demand deemed to have disappeared, but it would be a mistake imo, given Arriva have recently reduced their service there.
(29 Jul 2021, 9:58 pm)Ambassador Are links to business parks really that key anymore? The vast majority of employers aren’t going back full time, even in a post COVID world.I think its an interesting point, and it ultimately depends on what types of plots are available. I think we're going to end up with a lot of surplus office space around the Country, but there's other opportunities on business parks with industrial or mixed use, e.g. Follingsby and Integra61.
You can see why a bus company (business) would go after a growing leisure market versus a dwindling employment centre market.
(29 Jul 2021, 9:48 pm)streetdeckfan Has the 21 extension been confirmed?Thought it was deemed as inevitable, as it was announced donkeys ago before being put on hold. Of course that could have all changed and the demand deemed to have disappeared, but it would be a mistake imo, given Arriva have recently reduced their service there.
(29 Jul 2021, 9:58 pm)Ambassador Are links to business parks really that key anymore? The vast majority of employers aren’t going back full time, even in a post COVID world.I think its an interesting point, and it ultimately depends on what types of plots are available. I think we're going to end up with a lot of surplus office space around the Country, but there's other opportunities on business parks with industrial or mixed use, e.g. Follingsby and Integra61.
You can see why a bus company (business) would go after a growing leisure market versus a dwindling employment centre market.
(29 Jul 2021, 10:07 pm)Ambassador that market is dwindling though. Your base remains working class and lower middles who don’t or can’t drive to get to work and that doesn’t change or grow.
The commercial success of the £1 fares and Seasider/Toon Tour shows the leisure opportunity is there, how long the post staycation boom lasts is another but as football restarts if you can tempt a few thousand Newcastle fans onto your bus for a quid, there’s profit to be had
(29 Jul 2021, 10:07 pm)Ambassador that market is dwindling though. Your base remains working class and lower middles who don’t or can’t drive to get to work and that doesn’t change or grow.
The commercial success of the £1 fares and Seasider/Toon Tour shows the leisure opportunity is there, how long the post staycation boom lasts is another but as football restarts if you can tempt a few thousand Newcastle fans onto your bus for a quid, there’s profit to be had
(29 Jul 2021, 10:07 pm)Ambassador The commercial success of the £1 fares and Seasider/Toon Tour shows the leisure opportunity is there, how long the post staycation boom lasts is another but as football restarts if you can tempt a few thousand Newcastle fans onto your bus for a quid, there’s profit to be had
(29 Jul 2021, 10:07 pm)Ambassador The commercial success of the £1 fares and Seasider/Toon Tour shows the leisure opportunity is there, how long the post staycation boom lasts is another but as football restarts if you can tempt a few thousand Newcastle fans onto your bus for a quid, there’s profit to be had
(29 Jul 2021, 10:27 pm)mb134 For a while, even before Covid, I've thought of the leisure market being the main area for growth.
For commuting, there's realistically only ever going to be a specific pool of people who you're appealing to. Unless you live on a direct route, cannot drive, have issues with parking, or would need to plough through heavy traffic, chances are most folk will drive to work.
On top of this, you have the income from leisure that can really make the difference. Just about everyone I know considers using the bus for a night out in Newcastle, or to get to the match on a Saturday, or for shopping in town. Lots of these people, family members included, only do so because of the promotions when their routes were upgraded a few years back and they were made aware of the reasonable fares and late journeys. Out of those people, every single one of them uses a car for their daily commute. It's clear they will never change how they commute, in many instances it just isn't feasible, but it is clear that the correct marketing can easily get car users onto the bus for leisure.
(29 Jul 2021, 10:27 pm)mb134 For a while, even before Covid, I've thought of the leisure market being the main area for growth.
For commuting, there's realistically only ever going to be a specific pool of people who you're appealing to. Unless you live on a direct route, cannot drive, have issues with parking, or would need to plough through heavy traffic, chances are most folk will drive to work.
On top of this, you have the income from leisure that can really make the difference. Just about everyone I know considers using the bus for a night out in Newcastle, or to get to the match on a Saturday, or for shopping in town. Lots of these people, family members included, only do so because of the promotions when their routes were upgraded a few years back and they were made aware of the reasonable fares and late journeys. Out of those people, every single one of them uses a car for their daily commute. It's clear they will never change how they commute, in many instances it just isn't feasible, but it is clear that the correct marketing can easily get car users onto the bus for leisure.
(29 Jul 2021, 9:58 pm)Ambassador Are links to business parks really that key anymore? The vast majority of employers aren’t going back full time, even in a post COVID world.
You can see why a bus company (business) would go after a growing leisure market versus a dwindling employment centre market.
(29 Jul 2021, 9:58 pm)Ambassador Are links to business parks really that key anymore? The vast majority of employers aren’t going back full time, even in a post COVID world.
You can see why a bus company (business) would go after a growing leisure market versus a dwindling employment centre market.
(30 Jul 2021, 8:52 am)Andreos1 Even if 50% of office users return back to full-time office working, there's still going to be a good number that could make the switch. On top of those who are using public transport out of necessity.
(30 Jul 2021, 8:52 am)Andreos1 Even if 50% of office users return back to full-time office working, there's still going to be a good number that could make the switch. On top of those who are using public transport out of necessity.
(30 Jul 2021, 9:17 am)MurdnunoC Could, but probably won't. And if I was in that position, why would I? Why would anyone?
(30 Jul 2021, 9:17 am)MurdnunoC Could, but probably won't. And if I was in that position, why would I? Why would anyone?