(05 Jul 2022, 7:46 pm)mb134 wrote As far as I'm aware, Arriva drivers cannot sell returns where there is a valid day ticket that offers better value - the machines don't allow it.
For example between Newbiggin and Bedlington on an X21, the driver physically cannot sell a return - it has to be the £4.70 day ticket.
Ah that must've changed with the new ticket machines then. I know it used to be a big problem on the X7 where a Day Ticket was £5.90, I believe at the time, but the return was something stupid like £6.90, quite often see people buying returns aswell and being sold them.
Why on earth they were more expensive than the day ticket in the first place is mystery considering it covered the whole route.
(05 Jul 2022, 7:44 pm)mb134 wrote I genuinely don't see that as that expensive, you've stated the Newcastle to Morpeth day ticket is £6.20 - slightly cheaper but also distance wise it's that bit shorter.
I also don't see those Arriva fares as too expensive. Newcastle to Whitley Bay return for £4.70 - it's cheaper than the Metro, and probably less than what you'd pay in fuel for the car.
Another example would be ANEs X14:
£7.60 for a Rothbury day ticket. The X14 takes pretty much the same route as you'd take in the car to Newcastle, which would cost at least a few £ more in fuel (and that's excluding parking). For the most part it is a very rural route, and granted it's subsidised, but I see good value in that £7.60.
Must admit can't deny the North Tyneside fares are good value, I'm biased as I live on the North Tyneside border so get bombed with border tax and it's pretty frustrating the jump. Not to mention the 308 serving the next village across which is £3.90 I believe and every 15 minutes and the Cramlington route saver in the opposite direction for £5.20 both further away.
Not bad value the Rothbury ticket though to be fair considering the route especially when the Ashington ticket is £7.60 which imo is steep.
Mind be interesting to see if there's price changes when the new train line comes in as I believe it's going to be part of the Metro Zones.