(04 May 2015, 9:21 pm)Robert wrote I have noticed these new destinations are very...long (in terms of 'via' points) than their predecessors. Any particular reason for this?
The via points on all depots' destinations to have been revised (all services at Chester-le-Street, Stanley, Riverside and Hexham) have had a number of amendments. The programme has only been uploaded to those at Chester-le-Street and Hexham so far, but they will all be updated eventually.
The first amendment was to replace any coloured background on displays with coloured route numbers to be a plain white route number. This links to the fact that Go North East now favours full white LED displays on new orders; as there are now 33 vehicles in the fleet (+14 as yet to arrive), it makes sense to deliver some sort of consistency with white displays across the board.
Similarly, the via points themselves have been revised to be in-line with the 'Places Served' section of the website where you can download the timetables. If it is given on the website as one of the main calling points, it should be worthy for inclusion within the destination display.
The via points also appear longer, as it includes "Eldon Square via", "express via", "Shops via" etc. It's a way of being more specific, while keeping the top line (and arguably the most important line) more brief.
The specially-designed 'X' has been rolled out to the X9/X10 displays. Just the plain route number looked a bit naff, and with it being a premium express service, ought to have been a little different.
The route numbers are also now in Arial font (Arial Narrow if the number is three digits or has a letter in it) as this is larger and bolder, and is clearer to see from a distance. Look at the photos from the Metrocentre Rally Streetlite line-up and you'll clearly see which route number is more legible from a distance.
I'm more than happy to take any comments on-board. I certainly approved of Tom's idea to add "Shops via.." to the 17 Cramlington screen! I appreciate the via points are long, but also worth considering the upside to Go North East's commercial department... If someone is sitting behind a bus unaware that a certain bus serves a certain location, then sees that location scrolling along the bottom of the screen, they may be inclined to try out the bus and ditch their car (if it is cheaper to do so, etc). Of course there can't be so many that this person sitting behind stands no chance of seeing the whole cycle while at a red light!
Robert, you'll be pleased to hear that I'm also working on reducing the amount of switch setting errors, where the route number is shown on the wrong side of the bus.