(30 Jul 2015, 10:25 am)Dan wrote Quite funny you mention Quality Contacts, actually, citaro5284... Looking at the facts and figures; if it's deemed expensive now, it's going to remain expensive under a Quality Contracts Scheme...
I believe a number of those in support of Quality Contracts have suggested one of the reasons behind this is related to pricing strategies.
Under a Quality Contracts Scheme, Nexus proposes that a journey between Birtley and Gateshead would cover three zones (A, B and C). In 2012, Nexus proposed that a single fare on one mode of transport would cost £2.50. An inflation calculator would suggest that £2.50 in 2012 is now worth £2.72. One would therefore suggest that the fare, under Quality Contracts, would either be £2.70, £2.75 or £2.80 (pretty damn close to the present fare of £2.80!)
Sources:
- Nexus Quality Contracts Scheme Proposals: http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...%202_0.pdf
- Section 4.6.3 - Zones
- Section 4.6.4 - Adult Pricing
- Inflation Calculator: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills...-1900.html
Still think expanding the South Tyneside SmartZone across the North East Region would be a better idea than what has been proposed under QCS, obviously Single Fares/Day Tickets would have to be looked at as the (STSZ) currently only offers Weekly Pass (£13) and Monthly Pass (£50), those in South Tyneside otherwise have to pay the Standard Single/Day Ticket Fare on offer from GNE/SNE.
So if I was to purchase a (STSZ) Week Pass, I would be able to travel anywhere in South Tyneside for £1.85 per day, if I was to purchase a Monthly Pass I would only make a saving of £2 a Month, basically you might as well say you get 1 Days Free Travel which is nothing to be honest, but it is still a money saver compared that to the present Network One System, a One Zone Week Pass is (£19.30) and Monthly is (£67.10), and we all know that only way this System in a way saves Money for the average Passenger is by purchasing an All Zones Weekly Pass at (£26.40) or a Monthly Pass at (£92.90) as otherwise you cant go very far and you get mugged in the process.
Might as well go ahead compare the average One Zone Week Pass holder to an Illegal Immigrant trying to cross the Border into another Country, thats how badly flawed the Network One System is in my Opinion.