(29 Jan 2022, 10:48 am)Omega54 wrote IK, but why and how long for?

Because it's a good example of partnership working, instead of having an excessive amount of buses on a corridor?

Will the max £1.70 fare in North Tyneside be axed as part of this or will it be kept but maybe slightly increased?

(06 Feb 2022, 9:34 am)L469 YVK wrote Will the max £1.70 fare in North Tyneside be axed as part of this or will it be kept but maybe slightly increased?

Dan said on the previous page the lower fares are being made permanent.

Just heading for bus to match and thought I would check what ticket I need.ooks like i need a Tyne and wear tick instead of the old purple zone ticket and suprisingly its fine up by 8%.. hmm

(13 Feb 2022, 12:08 pm)Rob44 wrote Just heading for bus to match and thought I would check what ticket I need.ooks like i need a Tyne and wear tick instead of the old purple zone ticket and suprisingly its fine up by 8%.. hmm

Isn't there a cheaper option?

Gave up going to the match ages ago. Partly down to Ashley. Partly because the fares doubled overnight (removal of the old T&W ticket and introduction of the coloured zones) and they took off the two direct buses between where I lived and the town.

They came back to me when I complained (midweek games were awful to get back from) and GNE Cust Svc suggested a 56 to Concord followed by a 4 (or what was the M1).
I laughed and since then, if I've ever gone to a midweek game, take the car.
Yet the cars driving in and out of the town and taking advantage of the free parking are the issue...

Since then, I've spent quite a bit of time attending Gateshead games.
Public transport can be a bit of a chew, so I drive there more often than not.
Got there on the stroke of half-time once due to issues on the X9/10 so didn't bother using the bus again.
Now they're hourly, it makes the train and metro the most attractive option when looking at public transport. Even if the Explorer ticket is such good value for travelling huge distances and using 2 bus operators and the metro.
Except the train back from a midweek game isn't the easiest option.
So I drive.

It really makes me laugh when we are told to use public transport and we see the sorts of issues like this.

(13 Feb 2022, 12:24 pm)Andreos1 wrote Isn't there a cheaper option?

Gave up going to the match ages ago. Partly down to Ashley. Partly because the fares doubled overnight (removal of the old T&W ticket and introduction of the coloured zones) and they took off the two direct buses between where I lived and the town.

They came back to me when I complained (midweek games were awful to get back from) and suggested a 56 to Concord followed by a 4.
I laughed and since then, if I've ever gone to a midweek game, take the car.
Yet the cars driving in and out of the town and taking advantage of the free parking are the issue...

Since then, I've spent quite a bit of time attending Gateshead games.
Public transport can be a bit of a chew, so I drive there more often than not.
Got there on the stroke of half-time once due to issues on the X9/10 so didn't bother using the bus again.
Now they're hourly, it makes the train and metro the most attractive option when looking at public transport. Even if the Explorer ticket is such good value for travelling huge distances and using 2 bus operators and the metro.
Except the train back from a midweek game isn't the easiest option.
So I drive.

It really makes me laugh when we are told to use public transport and we see the sorts of issues like this.

This is the cheaper option. The tyne and wear ticket. As the driver pointed out though I can now go to sunderland with it.... as I'm dressed in my toon top and scarf and hat. I just laughter and he then said if your that way inclined... I'm not. So for my extra 8% I can now got somewhere I dont ever want to go. Cherrs.lol
 As for car we use it on midweek matches just incase they cancel the 11pm last bus home. Could have used car today but need a drink after week I've had

I wonder when, or if, they'll update the prices on The Key. At the minute they haven't so it's cheaper (and more convenient) to buy the monthly ticket on The Key.

I still find it stupid that they're pushing the app over The Key card as it's so much less convenient, and arguably has increased passenger board times due to how unreliable the app can be.
Plus, The Key doesn't run out of battery and leave you stranded!

(13 Feb 2022, 12:49 pm)Rob44 wrote This is the cheaper option. The tyne and wear ticket. As the driver pointed out though I can now go to sunderland with it.... as I'm dressed in my toon top and scarf and hat. I just laughter and he then said if your that way inclined... I'm not. So for my extra 8% I can now got somewhere I dont ever want to go. Cherrs.lol
 As for car we use it on midweek matches just incase they cancel the 11pm last bus home. Could have used car today but need a drink after week I've had

Pretty sure the prices haven't changed if you use the app.

(13 Feb 2022, 12:58 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I wonder when, or if, they'll update the prices on The Key. At the minute they haven't so it's cheaper (and more convenient) to buy the monthly ticket on The Key.

I still find it stupid that they're pushing the app over The Key card as it's so much less convenient, and arguably has increased passenger board times due to how unreliable the app can be.
Plus, The Key doesn't run out of battery and leave you stranded!

You’re one of a very very small number of users that still rely on a Key Card. Single figure percentages of customers still use them, and they’re mainly corporate passes through an employer.

As usual, streetdeckfan, you’re a fan of something that most others don’t like!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(13 Feb 2022, 1:09 pm)Dan wrote You’re one of a very very small number of users that still rely on a Key Card. Single figure percentages of customers still use them, and they’re mainly corporate passes through an employer.

As usual, streetdeckfan, you’re a fan of something that most others don’t like!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wonder if that's got anything to do with the fact that it's not mentioned anywhere on the website anymore (unless you specifically search for it) so nobody even knows about it!

It's a bit like downgrading a bus service then complaining that nobody is using it!

(13 Feb 2022, 1:09 pm)Dan wrote You’re one of a very very small number of users that still rely on a Key Card. Single figure percentages of customers still use them, and they’re mainly corporate passes through an employer.

As usual, streetdeckfan, you’re a fan of something that most others don’t like!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are the zones going to be updated on The Key?

Can day tickets and Flexi 5 be purchased online for The Key?

(13 Feb 2022, 1:09 pm)deanmachine wrote Pretty sure the prices haven't changed if you use the app.

You are slot on with that but I have a Samsung off about 5 years ago and the battery is shit.... so I'd rather have a paper tick but I'm penalised for that ...

(13 Feb 2022, 7:11 pm)Rob44 wrote You are slot on with that but I have a Samsung off about 5 years ago and the battery is shit.... so I'd rather have a paper tick but I'm penalised for that ...

Maybe so, but not uncommon and I can see why operators might want to incentivise switching to mobile ticketing in this way. It removes a repetitive task of issuing tickets from the driver, but I imagine it also speeds up boarding times.

On another note; depending on the Samsung model, it may be relatively simple/cheap to replace that battery if it's causing you problems. The average lifespan is usually 3-5 years on them.

(13 Feb 2022, 7:21 pm)Adrian wrote Maybe so, but not uncommon and I can see why operators might want to incentivise switching to mobile ticketing in this way. It removes a repetitive task of issuing tickets from the driver, but I imagine it also speeds up boarding times.

On another note; depending on the Samsung model, it may be relatively simple/cheap to replace that battery if it's causing you problems. The average lifespan is usually 3-5 years on 

Tbh I wouldnt trust my phone OR the CNE Ticket machine. I've been on buses where people have put the phone in and it come up near ner and they stood there arguing the toss with the driver for 10 minutes. Wasnt the one day whennit went down completely????? Doesnt happennwith a paper ticket

(13 Feb 2022, 7:27 pm)Rob44 wrote Tbh I wouldnt trust my phone OR the CNE Ticket machine. I've been on buses where people have put the phone in and it come up near ner and they stood there arguing the toss with the driver for 10 minutes. Wasnt the one day whennit went down completely????? Doesnt happennwith a paper ticket

When mTicketing first came out, I refused to use the GNE app because it was bloody awful and for the reasons you describe. The one they use now is the same as a lot of other companies use, and to be honest, I've never had a problem with it. My only grumble is that it doesn't allow you to save passes to Google Pay, which you can do with the LNER app.

I can't recall the GNE app going down any time recently, but I know Arriva seem to have had nothing but trouble with theirs. On the most part, and given I tend to use apps now when travelling around, I've never had a problem with anyone's in the past couple of years.

I think the GNE app is excellent, my only build would be adding to Apple wallet

I don’t have a problem with prioritising app use it makes sense - the card payment is woefully slow. There’s always going to be winners and losers in ticketing changes

(13 Feb 2022, 7:38 pm)Adrian wrote When mTicketing first came out, I refused to use the GNE app because it was bloody awful and for the reasons you describe. The one they use now is the same as a lot of other companies use, and to be honest, I've never had a problem with it. My only grumble is that it doesn't allow you to save passes to Google Pay, which you can do with the LNER app.

I can't recall the GNE app going down any time recently, but I know Arriva seem to have had nothing but trouble with theirs. On the most part, and given I tend to use apps now when travelling around, I've never had a problem with anyone's in the past couple of years.

I don't think the app is as bad as it was in the past, but it's certainly not great. I constantly have issues with the ticket not loading, the quick link at the bottom to go straight to the ticket disappearing. 

Edit:

Actually, I take that back, the new app is far, far worse than the old one in one very important way, tracking.
The tracking on the new app is bloody awful, especially if you want to track the bus that you're already on. How do I find out what time my bus gets to it's destination? 
You'd think you could just tap on the bus on the map like every other app and it would tell you, but no! That just tells you the bus has Wi-Fi and that it's quiet (even when it's packed!). You have to find a stop further ahead of you, tap on the service that you're on, then you can see. 

(13 Feb 2022, 7:56 pm)Ambassador wrote I think the GNE app is excellent, my only build would be adding to Apple wallet

I don’t have a problem with prioritising app use it makes sense - the card payment is woefully slow. There’s always going to be winners and losers in ticketing changes

I just think they should prioritise the app and The Key equally. They say the main reason for wanting to make the app more appealing is to speed up boarding times, because like you say card payments are slow, and cash is even slower if change is involved.

But, to me, The Key is even faster than the app as you don't have to stand there trying to get the QR code in the right position for it to scan.

Seriously, what do they have against The Key since MG took over? The system is already there and they're purposely making it worse and worse.

(13 Feb 2022, 8:20 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I don't think the app is as bad as it was in the past, but it's certainly not great. I constantly have issues with the ticket not loading, the quick link at the bottom to go straight to the ticket disappearing. 

Edit:

Actually, I take that back, the new app is far, far worse than the old one in one very important way, tracking.
The tracking on the new app is bloody awful, especially if you want to track the bus that you're already on. How do I find out what time my bus gets to it's destination? 
You'd think you could just tap on the bus on the map like every other app and it would tell you, but no! That just tells you the bus has Wi-Fi and that it's quiet (even when it's packed!). You have to find a stop further ahead of you, tap on the service that you're on, then you can see. 

I don't think the tracking is awful, at least if you select a stop to view next buses. It's quite handy that you can click one of the next buses in the list, and it'll show you on the route where it currently is. I do agree that clicking a bus on the map is awful though, as really it displays no useful information. Having some sort of linear route with minutes until it reaches each, would be a lot better.

Try the mTicketing with the app though. You might even find yourself impressed!

(13 Feb 2022, 8:20 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I just think they should prioritise the app and The Key equally. They say the main reason for wanting to make the app more appealing is to speed up boarding times, because like you say card payments are slow, and cash is even slower if change is involved.

But, to me, The Key is even faster than the app as you don't have to stand there trying to get the QR code in the right position for it to scan.

Seriously, what do they have against The Key since MG took over? The system is already there and they're purposely making it worse and worse.

Perhaps the Key infrastructure is considered legacy now? I notice (when I found it) on the website, that it's still essentially the old portal sitting there in the background. If that's the case, then I'd imagine their group are still having to pay a third party to support that infrastructure, in the wonderful world of outsourcing. 

The ideal solution for me would be the ability to register contactless cards like TfL, then for those who don't use the app, you don't have to faff around with a separate card.

(13 Feb 2022, 8:35 pm)Adrian wrote I don't think the tracking is awful, at least if you select a stop to view next buses. It's quite handy that you can click one of the next buses in the list, and it'll show you on the route where it currently is. I do agree that clicking a bus on the map is awful though, as really it displays no useful information. Having some sort of linear route with minutes until it reaches each, would be a lot better.

Try the mTicketing with the app though. You might even find yourself impressed!


Perhaps the Key infrastructure is considered legacy now? I notice (when I found it) on the website, that it's still essentially the old portal sitting there in the background. If that's the case, then I'd imagine their group are still having to pay a third party to support that infrastructure, in the wonderful world of outsourcing. 

The ideal solution for me would be the ability to register contactless cards like TfL, then for those who don't use the app, you don't have to faff around with a separate card.

The only time I use the mTicketing on the app is when I'm going to be using it regularly and I get a Flexi5 ticket, otherwise I just get a paper ticket, and will continue to do so until I'm no longer eligible for a 5-25 ticket, then I'll go back to The Key!

I do actually find the paper ticket much more convenient once I've actually bought the ticket though, I just keep it in the clear section of my card wallet so I don't even have to remove it to scan it.

With The Key infrastructure, as Dan says most of the people using it are corporate passes, and they probably aren't going to switch any time soon, so they're going to have to pay to support it anyway, so unless they have to pay per-head, it's not really going to cost much.

I do agree with being able to register contactless cards, but that would probably require the roll-out of TOTO to every bus in the fleet, which probably won't be cheap (despite the actual hardware being cheap to produce!)

Is it just me or is there basically no mention of the single fares on the website now?