(16 Jun 2018, 12:25 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]Ticket prices would have to drop to compete with the GNE 21/X21.
There should be no need to reduce ticket prices as Arriva prices are lower than GNE 21/X21. Example GNE Durham - Newcastle return £6.50 while Arriva offer unlimited travel between Durham and Newcastle with an X12 route saver for only £5. GNE Chester le Street to Newcastle single £3.60 while Arriva charge £3.10.
Prices are similar on the Durham to Bishop Auckland section with a GNE Auckland Castle ticket at £5.20 compared to a Sapphire 6 ticket at £5.00.
If Arriva were to increase the service frequency as proposed in the above service suggestion they could justify a small fare increase.
(16 Jun 2018, 1:55 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]There should be no need to reduce ticket prices as Arriva prices are lower than GNE 21/X21. Example GNE Durham - Newcastle return £6.50 while Arriva offer unlimited travel between Durham and Newcastle with an X12 route saver for only £5. GNE Chester le Street to Newcastle single £3.60 while Arriva charge £3.10.
Prices are similar on the Durham to Bishop Auckland section with a GNE Auckland Castle ticket at £5.20 compared to a Sapphire 6 ticket at £5.00.
If Arriva were to increase the service frequency as proposed in the above service suggestion they could justify a small fare increase.
The only reason why is because the kids prices are double on Arriva compared to GNE.
(18 Jun 2018, 3:00 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]The only reason why is because the kids prices are double on Arriva compared to GNE.
Arriva's maximum child fare is £1 with a Teen Card, is it not?
(18 Jun 2018, 5:10 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Arriva's maximum child fare is £1 with a Teen Card, is it not?
It is but with Go North East you don't need any card you simply just ask for £1 from the driver.
(16 Jun 2018, 1:55 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]There should be no need to reduce ticket prices as Arriva prices are lower than GNE 21/X21. Example GNE Durham - Newcastle return £6.50 while Arriva offer unlimited travel between Durham and Newcastle with an X12 route saver for only £5. GNE Chester le Street to Newcastle single £3.60 while Arriva charge £3.10.
Prices are similar on the Durham to Bishop Auckland section with a GNE Auckland Castle ticket at £5.20 compared to a Sapphire 6 ticket at £5.00.
If Arriva were to increase the service frequency as proposed in the above service suggestion they could justify a small fare increase.
It's the frequency combined with reliability that keeps me opting for the £6.30 castles express daysaver rather than the £5 arriva ticket to Newcastle.
(18 Jun 2018, 5:29 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]It is but with Go North East you don't need any card you simply just ask for £1 from the driver.
Which gets messy when kids are around the cut off mark.
Either way, £1 from both companies makes them the exact same price for kids...
(19 Jun 2018, 9:31 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Which gets messy when kids are around the cut off mark.
Either way, £1 from both companies makes them the exact same price for kids...
With savvy kids in T&W getting unlimited Bus, Metro, local rail and Ferry travel for £1.10 a day.
Why anyone would pay different, is beyond me.
(19 Jun 2018, 9:31 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Which gets messy when kids are around the cut off mark.
Either way, £1 from both companies makes them the exact same price for kids...
Not when you factor in the cost of getting the teen card.
(19 Jun 2018, 7:03 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]Not when you factor in the cost of getting the teen card.
What is that, £5?
So as you can have it in theory for 14 years ("valid for any young person until their 19th birthday", and you don't pay until the age of 5), it works out as pretty much nothing.
At most it's fractionally more than GNE, and that's only because Arriva are avoiding the scenario of awkward confrontations with drivers about age (I'd argue making the passenger experience more pleasant for everyone involved), and revenue protecting.
If you also take into account some of the journeys you're able to do with a teen card (X15/18, 685), then that minimal fee really isn't too bad.
Going back to the original point, Arriva have cheaper fares for adults on the mentioned services, and their child fees are all but identical, so what's everyone's issue with them?
(19 Jun 2018, 8:08 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]What is that, £5?
So as you can have it in theory for 14 years ("valid for any young person until their 19th birthday", and you don't pay until the age of 5), it works out as pretty much nothing.
At most it's fractionally more than GNE, and that's only because Arriva are avoiding the scenario of awkward confrontations with drivers about age (I'd argue making the passenger experience more pleasant for everyone involved), and revenue protecting.
If you also take into account some of the journeys you're able to do with a teen card (X15/18, 685), then that minimal fee really isn't too bad.
Going back to the original point, Arriva have cheaper fares for adults on the mentioned services, and their child fees are all but identical, so what's everyone's issue with them?
Back to the Durham newcasNew corridor, frequency and reliability. Works the other way Durham to spennymoor, although arriva is 2 buses. Buggered if I'm standing at 4 lane ends for 28 minutes because I've unavoidably just missed the X21 (though I did just that with the 6 many times at its most disrupted)
(20 Jun 2018, 12:00 am)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]Back to the Durham newcasNew corridor, frequency and reliability. Works the other way Durham to spennymoor, although arriva is 2 buses. Buggered if I'm standing at 4 lane ends for 28 minutes because I've unavoidably just missed the X21 (though I did just that with the 6 many times at its most disrupted)
But the fares correspond to the frequency? GNE provide a higher frequency, so it makes sense for them to charge slightly more, as passengers who need that will be willing to pay it. Arriva have lower fares for adults, child fares are the same, and people were complaining about their fares?!
(20 Jun 2018, 11:22 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]But the fares correspond to the frequency? GNE provide a higher frequency, so it makes sense for them to charge slightly more, as passengers who need that will be willing to pay it. Arriva have lower fares for adults, child fares are the same, and people were complaining about their fares?!
I don't consider a £1.30 saving worth the risk of having to wait around ES for half an hour or more if an X12 breaks down or doesn't show for other reasons, which isn't uncommon. IdI rather pay the £6.30 for a castles express daysaver or a little more for a blue and green one if I know there's likely to be problems on the roads, as that then adds in the possibility of travelling home via Stanley, (X30/31 then 16/A) which can be quicker than a snarled up 21.
(19 Jun 2018, 9:31 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Which gets messy when kids are around the cut off mark.
Either way, £1 from both companies makes them the exact same price for kids...
Clipper drivers been asking for ID sometimes now.
X17: Alnwick - Eglingham - Chillingham - Chatton - Wooler Bus Station - Chatton - Belford - A1 - Tweedmouth - Berwick.
New service that will create new links to Berwick, Wooler and Alnwick from surrounding areas. The service will operate every two hours Monday to Saturday daytimes.
(23 Jun 2018, 10:39 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]X17: Alnwick - Eglingham - Chillingham - Chatton - Wooler Bus Station - Chatton - Belford - A1 - Tweedmouth - Berwick.
New service that will create new links to Berwick, Wooler and Alnwick from surrounding areas. The service will operate every two hours Monday to Saturday daytimes.
470/473 and 464 already provide that service. Another bus route wouldn't be sustainable.
(23 Jun 2018, 11:16 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]470/473 and 464 already provide that service. Another bus route wouldn't be sustainable.
Well it goes on in Morpeth and maybe the council will support this service like all the other pointless ones that exist.
(24 Jun 2018, 12:31 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Well it goes on in Morpeth and maybe the council will support this service like all the other pointless ones that exist.
The thing is though, your proposed route is longer than walking distance.
(24 Jun 2018, 11:37 am)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]The thing is though, your proposed route is longer than walking distance.
It will also form new links linking Belford to Wooler allowing connections to the Coast.
5: Extended to Durham under a Every 30 minutes frequency.
6: Reduced to Every 20 minutes with one journey an hour to Cockfield and also extended to Barnard Castle. Sunday journeys will also operate to Barnard Castle hourly.
Service 5 and 6 will combine to provide the current 5 buses an hour between Bishop Auckland and Durham.
7: To reduce the amount of passengers boarding at Tubwell Row, this service will depart from outside the Dolphin Centre, Feethams. Services 5/5A/8/X21 will continue to observe Tubwell Row.
X21: This service will operate limited stop on North Road in Darlington, and also operate as a express service in Grangetown only observing the stops the X6/X7 observe. This will enable drivers to get an extra few minutes break as usually the drivers are sitting ducks for 4 hours.
23: Withdrawn, replaced by increased frequencys on services 22 and 24. Connections are available at Peterlee.
22/24: Mon - Sat daytime journeys will be increased to Every 20 minutes. Evening and Sunday journeys will be increased to Every 30 minutes.
PVR:
5: 8 (Will keep current allocation) 1602 - 1609 will be allocated, Brand new buses ordered for 1/5A/19.
6: 8 (Will receive cascaded buses) 1610 - 1613, 7518 - 7521. 1614 will be spare bus.
Service 5 and 6 will be operated by Belmont, as such some journeys will interwork.
X21: 4 (4808 - 4811)
Following service changes a range of Vehicles will be freed up.
22/24: 19 (Will have a mixed allocation) 1498, 1507, 1517 - 1521, 1524 - 1533, 7523, 7539.
The remaining pulsars will remain allocated at Belmont, mainly as spare buses. 1512 and 1513 will transfer from Jesmond to Belmont to become the spare buses for services 22/24.
1595 - 1601 to Stockton for service 7 allowing pulsars to replace cadets on service 17.
(26 Jun 2018, 11:39 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]5: Extended to Durham under a Every 30 minutes frequency.
6: Reduced to Every 20 minutes with one journey an hour to Cockfield and also extended to Barnard Castle. Sunday journeys will also operate to Barnard Castle hourly.
Service 5 and 6 will combine to provide the current 5 buses an hour between Bishop Auckland and Durham.
7: To reduce the amount of passengers boarding at Tubwell Row, this service will depart from outside the Dolphin Centre, Feethams. Services 5/5A/8/X21 will continue to observe Tubwell Row.
X21: This service will operate limited stop on North Road in Darlington, and also operate as a express service in Grangetown only observing the stops the X6/X7 observe. This will enable drivers to get an extra few minutes break as usually the drivers are sitting ducks for 4 hours.
23: Withdrawn, replaced by increased frequencys on services 22 and 24. Connections are available at Peterlee.
22/24: Mon - Sat daytime journeys will be increased to Every 20 minutes. Evening and Sunday journeys will be increased to Every 30 minutes.
PVR:
5: 8 (Will keep current allocation) 1602 - 1609 will be allocated, Brand new buses ordered for 1/5A/19.
6: 8 (Will receive cascaded buses) 1610 - 1613, 7518 - 7521. 1614 will be spare bus.
Service 5 and 6 will be operated by Belmont, as such some journeys will interwork.
X21: 4 (4808 - 4811)
Following service changes a range of Vehicles will be freed up.
22/24: 19 (Will have a mixed allocation) 1498, 1507, 1517 - 1521, 1524 - 1533, 7523, 7539.
The remaining pulsars will remain allocated at Belmont, mainly as spare buses. 1512 and 1513 will transfer from Jesmond to Belmont to become the spare buses for services 22/24.
1595 - 1601 to Stockton for service 7 allowing pulsars to replace cadets on service 17.
What would serve easington colliery instead of the 23. The 22 only has time to squeeze that in on a Sunday, when there are fewer delays at either end.