I was on a Citylink versa home last night so experienced GNE announcements for the first time on a route other than the Quaylink.
The announcements were good - Id say probably a little more towards being over enthusiastic rather than more professional and calm like London's iBus.
Seemed like a few odd names for stops that I personally wouldn't have named them but never mind.
What I was surprised at though it didn't say "58, to, Hadrian Park" every so often - which would be useful to blind/particularly sighted people + tourists, as it would reassure them which service they're on and the destination of it. It's all well and good hearing all these random intermediate stops, but hearing the route number and/or destination (like you do in London) at least lets people know they're heading in the right direction etc.
It was just something I noticed while on the bus home - I volunteer with a charity for the blind/particularly sighted, and I hear that the number and destination is just as reassuring as obviously hearing what the next stop will be.
But what GNE have done so far is all a step in the right direction and can make the difference for some users between using a bus, and feeling unable to use a bus at all.
A thought for the future as the system develops, maybe instead of the text at the bottom of the screen saying, 'If this is your stop ring the bell once once and remain seated until the bus stops', they could have 'Alight here for.......'
After all the current message could be put on a sticker/poster
RE: Go North East - Latest