05 Apr 2021, 2:59 pm
#293
(05 Apr 2021, 11:55 am)Dan It’s certainly what you’ve suggested in all your posts, by otherwise pointing out all the alleged ‘flaws’ in the service. Maybe I’ve interpreted your posts incorrectly?
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Quite possibly Dan.
I've certainly never said or implied those things at all.
For clarity.
I feel there needs to be further differences between the X1/9/10/11, if tickets aren't valid for those who would use the 4, X1/9/10 ordinarily, but are hoping to utilise the X11. Particularly as there is a vehicle which is allocated to the X9/10/11, it shares a common brand, serves a number of common towns and has a relatively small driving rota.
I feel that the opportunity to accept passengers intending for the 4, X1/9/10, should be taken. Particularly by an organisation who are set up to make money.
I'd hope the X11 was a success and was the start of network improvements and opening up new travel opportunities, but feel that with one arm behind its back, it will struggle. Particularly on those wet and windy days you have mentioned.
To supplement its revenue seems to be an obvious thing. Yet, this doesn't appear to be an option.
I don't think the numbers for those travelling locally, would make too much difference to those travelling the entire journey or result in people being left behind.
I'd have hoped there were ticketing options for those wanting to spend more than a few hours in Whitby or Scarborough, maybe a night or two.
I do think the fare is reasonable for those travelling from Tyneside to Whitby or Scarborough, but that market is going to be small for a number of reasons. When you look at other factors, such as weather (like you have mentioned) - you can see how supplementing the revenue with additional passengers, not making the end to end journey, makes so much sense.
Enthusiasts may understand the difference between the X11 and other routes, but ordinary passengers may not.
Travelling by public transport needs to be attractive and it goes without saying that operators need to remove barriers. Operators or enthusiasts may or may not see or appreciate those barriers. Either way, the operators need to develop an understanding of the barriers that may exist and do something about removing them. However insignificant, small or subtle they may appear from 'inside'.
I've carried out different analysis on the X11 project and there are obvious flaws that appear to have been overlooked or ignored by the commercial team. A shame as I do think there is a lot more potential with it. More than the 'use it or lose it', 'its clearly a different service' mentality which will inevitably hold back that potential.
If we don't see the return of the X11 next year, I'd genuinely hope there was some sort of detailed look in to why it failed. There will be external factors without a doubt. But by looking (all be it, reactively) at the internal factors, so much can and should be learned.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
