(10 Aug 2021, 11:18 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Do you mind, complaining about OmniDekkas on the X21 is kind of my thing!
At least it's not as bad as it used to be, I remember one time where there were at least 3 OmniDekkas in a row on the X21!
Sorry hun x
They're still allocated on the regular due to lack of high spec spares since 6301/2/3 went to Consett, it wouldn't be so bad if they can rotate the boards they do so they're likely not being caught by the same passengers each day (no idea if this is done or not?) but seems like pot luck especially when they get chucked on as a breakdown replacement.
(11 Aug 2021, 10:59 am)Adrian wrote ...and here lies the problem. When you invest so much into marketing of shiny new buses with their fantastic on-board features, with the intention of encouraging new people to use the bus instead of private car, they're rightly going to be disappointed when a 15 year old second hand Omnidekka turns up, with zero legroom and like it hasn't been deep cleaned for a month.
It's a lack of attention to detail and it undoes all the good work, time and money spent in marketing services. It stinks of the 'any bus will do' attitude of years gone by.
First impressions are everything, but they'll likely be the last impressions for first time users.
It's amazing how seriously things like WiFi and plug sockets can be taken by some passengers, I've even seen passengers kicking off with drivers when the plugs don't work especially when the passenger think the driver is just being awkward and not turning them on to annoy the passengers, will admit in the past I have been annoyed when I'm short on data or battery life and a basic spec Bus turns up instead of the advertised bus with these features.
Getting people out of cars now is always going to be a struggle as the bus is seen as not good value alternative option due to high priced fares and long indirect journey times.