RE: Reversing the decline in passenger numbers
A few things from me on it.
- Covid has eroded confidence in public transport and let's be frank, it had image issues before the pandemic.
- Short Notice Cancellations - unavoidable but still erodes that level of confidence and requires more planning than a taxi or a car does.
- Hygiene and comfort - as others have eluded. I used the bus to the match on Tuesday. Journey there was on an Angel Streetdeck and it was utterly filthy on the top deck. Sandwich fillings, spilt drinks and with Covid having all the windows open an utterly miserable experience. The journey home was on an Omnidekka and that was worse, cramped, cold and it stunk.
- Vast numbers of people are now home working in a hybrid model or permanently and perhaps the car becomes more affordable run if you're only in the office 2 days a week.
- Staying with afforfability, ticketing still hasn't caught up with the Hybrid working ethos. Network One just don't offer anything and the current options on offer from the big 3 aren't really suitable so again, use the car.
- I'm not entirely sure the network has adapted to new demands and the change in commuter behaviour
- Traffic management in Gateshead is poor in general but both Gateshead and NCC persist with this stick before carrot approach and its clearly not working.
