(23 Nov 2013, 3:46 pm)andreos1 wrote Yeah they do, but do all customers have a Key Card?
Do all drivers record paper tickets on the machine?
Even if every single passenger had a key card, there is a difference between collecting the data and also analysing it to ensure passengers are adequetly catered for.
Tesco identify trends well with their clubcard - bus operators need to up their game though.
Having 10 buses an hour through the Galleries from Newcastle doesn't help the people having to change buses, pay extra or walk the final few miles home.
Just as an example, but if 60 people an hour (10 per bus and probably a realistic figure) transfer between an x1 and 4 at the Galleries with 90% of them getting on/off between Glebe and Fatfield, is there an argument to say there should be a bus between Fatfield and Newcastle?
Going off those figures, the demand is there for that extra bus and (getting back to the main point raised earlier) it would ease pressure on the x1 too.
I don't have a keycard, as I dont believe GNE should be using the data for their own needs for profit and also charging their customers for a £5 replacing fee.
GNE wants passengers to use their connecting bus services to get to your destination, (example: GNE will not put on a Fatfield to Newcastle direct service as theres an 10 minute service 4 to Galleries then a 10 minute X1 from Galleries to Newcastle) should be glad that these to connecting bus services runs on a 10 minute frequency, theres a lot of passengers that don't have these sort of 10 minute frequencies and have to relay on an hour service or half hourly service.
GNE have streamlined there bus services as all the bus companies have to maximise their profits. These days if you use the bus then you have to go to your destination when the bus company says so by the timetable, its not like 30 years ago when you be able to board a bus service when you like and go where you like.