Disruptions and driver shortages

North East Buses Local Bus Scene Operations, Management & Infrastructure Disruptions and driver shortages

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Andreos1

14,228

07 Sep 2021, 7:47 pm #36

(07 Sep 2021, 7:32 pm)streetdeckfan Totally agree.
I don't know about you, but even as a Twitter addict when I'm standing at a bus stop and the bus is late, the first thing I do isn't go to Twitter and search GNE's recent Tweets to see if they happened to have mentioned the service I'm waiting for, it's check the app, because I probably already had it open to either check the times or have my ticket.

Unfortunately, for those without a smartphone there's very little that GNE can do. I don't know how the backend works, but they could potentially try and get DCC and Nexus to update the displays at bus stations with live info (I doubt that would be possible).
I do like the idea of the E-ink displays they're trialling, but like everything else in the industry, those companies rolling it out are no doubt charing way over the odds for what is a very simple product, so I can't personally see it being rolled out to all bus stops, or even those in 'key' areas to be honest.

I've suggested push messages in the past.
Simple and effective and assuming someone has signed up for an update, pretty straightforward (I'd assume).
Im sure Nexus had some Nfc functions on their stops at one point. No idea if they're still active or not.

However, it all boils down to communication and ensuring users (regardless of any mitigating factors) have the information and can get it easily.

I reckon it would have been 7 or 8 years ago, but I was doing some work in rural Lincolnshire. Decided to do some gricing and used the train and bus for my trip.
Due to the nature of the road network down there, one closure means huge diversions and on this particular trip, a stretch of road from Woodhall Spa was completely shut for resurfacing.
Lincs Council had sorted out a shuttle to take passengers to Tattershall, to connect with the diverted IC service between Boston and Lincoln.
I was heading towards Tattershall on the shuttle and on approaching each stop, the driver would check with punters heading in the opposite direction, to ensure they knew the road further up was closed and to inform them of the diversion.
I'm not saying that GNE or whoever else need to instruct their drivers and get them to let every single punter waiting that there are delays - but I was very impressed with the customer service and dedication on offer in that particular case.

'Illegitimis non carborundum'

Andreos1

07 Sep 2021, 7:47 pm #36

(07 Sep 2021, 7:32 pm)streetdeckfan Totally agree.
I don't know about you, but even as a Twitter addict when I'm standing at a bus stop and the bus is late, the first thing I do isn't go to Twitter and search GNE's recent Tweets to see if they happened to have mentioned the service I'm waiting for, it's check the app, because I probably already had it open to either check the times or have my ticket.

Unfortunately, for those without a smartphone there's very little that GNE can do. I don't know how the backend works, but they could potentially try and get DCC and Nexus to update the displays at bus stations with live info (I doubt that would be possible).
I do like the idea of the E-ink displays they're trialling, but like everything else in the industry, those companies rolling it out are no doubt charing way over the odds for what is a very simple product, so I can't personally see it being rolled out to all bus stops, or even those in 'key' areas to be honest.