(24 Oct 2017, 7:12 am)Andreos1 wrote I will have to check the dashcam footage for the exact wording, but between Dalton Park and the Ryhope/Seaham junction, Gateshead wasn't mentioned once (similar to the Bournmoor example on the 4 ex Heworth before it was added).
The wording on the X9/10 was like or similar to 'calling at Newcastle'. Maybe the display was knackered, but Gateshead definitely didn't appear in the period I was behind it.
Sorry, I thought you meant that you were on a section of the X9/X10 route which allows via points.
Because both of these services are now split, to avoid having to conform to EU regulations (tachographs, driving hours, etc), the display from Newcastle (legally) has to read "Peterlee then Middlesbrough" (X9) or "Dalton Park then Middlesbrough" (X10) as this is how the services are registered. The same applies in the opposite direction, but "Middlesbrough" is substituted for "Newcastle".
Sadly there's nothing that can be done about this - it is the downside to operators using this legal loophole on long-distance services.
On their X12 service; Arriva show "Durham for Middlesbrough", but the "for Middlesbrough" line flashes off and then "via Chester-le-Street" comes on. Whilst this is perfectly legal, I'd argue it's in the best interests of operators to show (what is perceived by customers to be) the terminal point at all times, to minimise confusion. Otherwise it looks like the service terminates at Durham (X12), Peterlee (X9) or Dalton Park (X10).
(24 Oct 2017, 7:12 am)Andreos1 wrote Just a quick comment regarding customers outside the community not actually caring.
TOC's thought similar. However the Customer Panels are proving extremely valuable.
Being involved in a handful of the projects since the beginning, I have seen proposals and changes adapted or thrown out completely.
They were introduced for the likes of VTEC and Northern late last year off memory. VTWC have had theirs for a slightly longer period, all be it in a different format. Not sure what is happening with the SWT panel since the franchise was handed over.
Not everything is put to these panels, but they are seen as a valuable tool in improving not only the customer experience, but the relationship between the operator and passenger.
Not sure about Arriva or Stagecoach, but Go North East has a "Passenger Panel".
Periodically - by e-mail - customers are invited to participate in a survey. I've shared examples in the past, but I am no longer a part of this panel so not sure how regularly these surveys are still undertaken. They tended to influence more business-critical decisions than what wanted to show on destination displays, though.
Example of a survey undertaken previously:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1402&pid=96675