(04 Aug 2019, 12:56 pm)Dan Again, I go back to my original question. For all of the operators now equipping their buses with Next Stop Announcements, who funds the additional resource required to update the announcements for the short-term closures and/or diversions in place?I mean, you could always give the driver a microphone and tell them to do the NSAs
Right or wrong; until the systems become less clunky, I don't think you'll ever get the announcements to reflect the correct route all of the time. I'd doubt many, if any at all, operators could resource it currently (I used Lothian as my example previously as they've really upped their game for providing this feature, and are definitely leading the way in the entire industry in my opinion, currently, yet they face the same challenges and seemingly haven't overcome them).
If operators don't have the resource, one option could be to disable the announcements to prevent incorrect information being given to passengers. This isn't ideal either though, is it? I suspect the current situ means that they're right the majority of the time, for the majority of stops, benefiting the majority of passengers.
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(04 Aug 2019, 12:56 pm)Dan Again, I go back to my original question. For all of the operators now equipping their buses with Next Stop Announcements, who funds the additional resource required to update the announcements for the short-term closures and/or diversions in place?I mean, you could always give the driver a microphone and tell them to do the NSAs
Right or wrong; until the systems become less clunky, I don't think you'll ever get the announcements to reflect the correct route all of the time. I'd doubt many, if any at all, operators could resource it currently (I used Lothian as my example previously as they've really upped their game for providing this feature, and are definitely leading the way in the entire industry in my opinion, currently, yet they face the same challenges and seemingly haven't overcome them).
If operators don't have the resource, one option could be to disable the announcements to prevent incorrect information being given to passengers. This isn't ideal either though, is it? I suspect the current situ means that they're right the majority of the time, for the majority of stops, benefiting the majority of passengers.
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(04 Aug 2019, 1:00 pm)streetdeckfan I mean, you could always give the driver a microphone and tell them to do the NSAsAll jokes aside I think that's what we're possibly forgetting in all of this.
(04 Aug 2019, 1:00 pm)streetdeckfan I mean, you could always give the driver a microphone and tell them to do the NSAsAll jokes aside I think that's what we're possibly forgetting in all of this.
(04 Aug 2019, 12:56 pm)Dan Again, I go back to my original question. For all of the operators now equipping their buses with Next Stop Announcements, who funds the additional resource required to update the announcements for the short-term closures and/or diversions in place? Right or wrong; until the systems become less clunky, I don't think you'll ever get the announcements to reflect the correct route all of the time. I'd doubt many, if any at all, operators could resource it currently (I used Lothian as my example previously as they've really upped their game for providing this feature, and are definitely leading the way in the entire industry in my opinion, currently, yet they face the same challenges and seemingly haven't overcome them).
If operators don't have the resource, one option could be to disable the announcements to prevent incorrect information being given to passengers. This isn't ideal either though, is it? I suspect the current situ means that they're right the majority of the time, for the majority of stops, benefiting the majority of passengers.
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The operators themselves?
I made the point previously that they're happy to paint the vehicles funky colours.
Why not pay for something which actually benefits the customers, on an ongoing basis.
As for 'benefitting the majority of passengers'. Accessible vehicles don't really benefit the majority of passengers. They make it accessible to the minority.
It goes without saying, that it needs to work for all passengers, not just the majority.
(04 Aug 2019, 12:56 pm)Dan Again, I go back to my original question. For all of the operators now equipping their buses with Next Stop Announcements, who funds the additional resource required to update the announcements for the short-term closures and/or diversions in place? Right or wrong; until the systems become less clunky, I don't think you'll ever get the announcements to reflect the correct route all of the time. I'd doubt many, if any at all, operators could resource it currently (I used Lothian as my example previously as they've really upped their game for providing this feature, and are definitely leading the way in the entire industry in my opinion, currently, yet they face the same challenges and seemingly haven't overcome them).
If operators don't have the resource, one option could be to disable the announcements to prevent incorrect information being given to passengers. This isn't ideal either though, is it? I suspect the current situ means that they're right the majority of the time, for the majority of stops, benefiting the majority of passengers.
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
The operators themselves?
I made the point previously that they're happy to paint the vehicles funky colours.
Why not pay for something which actually benefits the customers, on an ongoing basis.
As for 'benefitting the majority of passengers'. Accessible vehicles don't really benefit the majority of passengers. They make it accessible to the minority.
It goes without saying, that it needs to work for all passengers, not just the majority.
(04 Aug 2019, 1:07 pm)Andreos1
The operators themselves?
I made the point previously that they're happy to paint the vehicles funky colours.
Why not pay for something which actually benefits the customers, on an ongoing basis.
As for 'benefitting the majority of passengers'. Accessible vehicles don't really benefit the majority of passengers. They make it accessible to the minority.
It goes without saying, that it needs to work for all passengers, not just the majority.
(04 Aug 2019, 1:07 pm)Andreos1
The operators themselves?
I made the point previously that they're happy to paint the vehicles funky colours.
Why not pay for something which actually benefits the customers, on an ongoing basis.
As for 'benefitting the majority of passengers'. Accessible vehicles don't really benefit the majority of passengers. They make it accessible to the minority.
It goes without saying, that it needs to work for all passengers, not just the majority.
(04 Aug 2019, 11:56 am)ifm001
I used to be regular user of X9/X10 at Testos. Daily Monday to Friday. I always got the 0558 X9 to Middlesbrough and when diverted and omitted Testo, how on earth do you guys at GNE think someone can get to Heworth for that time of the morning without incurring taxi costs etc. I lost count of the number of times I contacted GNE and we discussed alternative diversions will still observed Boldon near to Testos all to no avail. GNE were not willing to listen to suggestions and when I contacted Martijn he referred me back to customer services.
Those if you on here who don't use Testos roundabout. Try it for a month and see how much patience you have at the end.
Hence I learned to drive. Passed my test, and avoid Testos like the plague. But not all of us have this luxury now. There are still a lot of customers having to put up with this.
Mind you if we lived elsewhere there would be shuttle buses provided as in most other diversions but no we aren't entitled to them either.
I think you make some good points there, which really emphasise the importance of the customer being a priority.
Whilst previous comments have focused on, on-bus technology; your points have reiterated the fact that operational requirements often come first.
You were a minority.
You now don't bother.
The operator have now lost a passenger, due to the inconveniences and problems you faced.
(04 Aug 2019, 1:13 pm)Dan Wouldn't that then lead to some operators doing it, and others not? One being more customer-focused, the other less so (just how, using your example, some operators will paint buses more frequently than others)?
I don't think the answer is as simple as you suggest. Alas, here in the North East (until later this year anyway) Stagecoach have still not equipped a single one of their buses with this system (whereas a fair proportion of the Arriva and Go North East fleets are).
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Isn't that what makes the businesses stand out above others?
The customer focused ones spend their time (appearing to anyway), making the customer the priority. Making the customer feel important.
That tends to be why those businesses succeed.
Wants, needs and expectations.
When those expecations are exceeded, then the business knows it is on the right track.
I've recently been working with a multinational organisation and developing their customer service offer.
It was an eye-opener!
When needs aren't met (stops missed, customers not informed of changes/given conflicting information etc), then the loyalty, trust and whatever else isn't achieved.
(04 Aug 2019, 11:56 am)ifm001
I used to be regular user of X9/X10 at Testos. Daily Monday to Friday. I always got the 0558 X9 to Middlesbrough and when diverted and omitted Testo, how on earth do you guys at GNE think someone can get to Heworth for that time of the morning without incurring taxi costs etc. I lost count of the number of times I contacted GNE and we discussed alternative diversions will still observed Boldon near to Testos all to no avail. GNE were not willing to listen to suggestions and when I contacted Martijn he referred me back to customer services.
Those if you on here who don't use Testos roundabout. Try it for a month and see how much patience you have at the end.
Hence I learned to drive. Passed my test, and avoid Testos like the plague. But not all of us have this luxury now. There are still a lot of customers having to put up with this.
Mind you if we lived elsewhere there would be shuttle buses provided as in most other diversions but no we aren't entitled to them either.
I think you make some good points there, which really emphasise the importance of the customer being a priority.
Whilst previous comments have focused on, on-bus technology; your points have reiterated the fact that operational requirements often come first.
You were a minority.
You now don't bother.
The operator have now lost a passenger, due to the inconveniences and problems you faced.
(04 Aug 2019, 1:13 pm)Dan Wouldn't that then lead to some operators doing it, and others not? One being more customer-focused, the other less so (just how, using your example, some operators will paint buses more frequently than others)?
I don't think the answer is as simple as you suggest. Alas, here in the North East (until later this year anyway) Stagecoach have still not equipped a single one of their buses with this system (whereas a fair proportion of the Arriva and Go North East fleets are).
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Isn't that what makes the businesses stand out above others?
The customer focused ones spend their time (appearing to anyway), making the customer the priority. Making the customer feel important.
That tends to be why those businesses succeed.
Wants, needs and expectations.
When those expecations are exceeded, then the business knows it is on the right track.
I've recently been working with a multinational organisation and developing their customer service offer.
It was an eye-opener!
When needs aren't met (stops missed, customers not informed of changes/given conflicting information etc), then the loyalty, trust and whatever else isn't achieved.
(04 Aug 2019, 1:13 pm)Dan Wouldn't that then lead to some operators doing it, and others not? One being more customer-focused, the other less so (just how, using your example, some operators will paint buses more frequently than others)?I think until things like this start becoming a requirement there are always going to be some companies that cheap out and don't bother installing it.
I don't think the answer is as simple as you suggest. Alas, here in the North East (until later this year anyway) Stagecoach have still not equipped a single one of their buses with this system (whereas a fair proportion of the Arriva and Go North East fleets are).
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
(04 Aug 2019, 1:13 pm)Dan Wouldn't that then lead to some operators doing it, and others not? One being more customer-focused, the other less so (just how, using your example, some operators will paint buses more frequently than others)?I think until things like this start becoming a requirement there are always going to be some companies that cheap out and don't bother installing it.
I don't think the answer is as simple as you suggest. Alas, here in the North East (until later this year anyway) Stagecoach have still not equipped a single one of their buses with this system (whereas a fair proportion of the Arriva and Go North East fleets are).
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
(04 Aug 2019, 1:25 pm)streetdeckfan I think until things like this start becoming a requirement there are always going to be some companies that cheap out and don't bother installing it.
I can't imagine it being that difficult or expensive to make a simple NSA system for local operators that only have a few routes.
A lot of what we've discussed today was covered under the 'accessible information' consultation in relation to the Bus Services Act 2017. There's a fair chance that these solutions will need to be (at least partially) funded by Government.
More info:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information-html
(04 Aug 2019, 1:25 pm)streetdeckfan I think until things like this start becoming a requirement there are always going to be some companies that cheap out and don't bother installing it.
I can't imagine it being that difficult or expensive to make a simple NSA system for local operators that only have a few routes.
A lot of what we've discussed today was covered under the 'accessible information' consultation in relation to the Bus Services Act 2017. There's a fair chance that these solutions will need to be (at least partially) funded by Government.
More info:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information-html
(04 Aug 2019, 1:43 pm)Dan
A lot of what we've discussed today was covered under the 'accessible information' consultation in relation to the Bus Services Act 2017. There's a fair chance that these solutions will need to be (at least partially) funded by Government.
More info:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information-html
I can understand retrofits and installs for independents being funded by the government, but I'd imagine for the likes of Go Ahead, Arriva and Stagecoach, the cost to implement NSA on new vehicles would be negligible when you consider the amount that they're spending on the vehicles in the first place.
(04 Aug 2019, 1:43 pm)Dan
A lot of what we've discussed today was covered under the 'accessible information' consultation in relation to the Bus Services Act 2017. There's a fair chance that these solutions will need to be (at least partially) funded by Government.
More info:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information-html
I can understand retrofits and installs for independents being funded by the government, but I'd imagine for the likes of Go Ahead, Arriva and Stagecoach, the cost to implement NSA on new vehicles would be negligible when you consider the amount that they're spending on the vehicles in the first place.
(04 Aug 2019, 4:23 pm)Michael Shame, thought they would of....
From what I've seen the 56s are looking a bit more tired inside compared to others of a similar age
(04 Aug 2019, 4:23 pm)Michael Shame, thought they would of....
From what I've seen the 56s are looking a bit more tired inside compared to others of a similar age
(04 Aug 2019, 5:07 pm)streetdeckfan
From what I've seen the 56s are looking a bit more tired inside compared to others of a similar age
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