(05 Jul 2014, 4:02 pm)aureolin wrote I had a Day Rover on Thursday, so it's the first time I've really been north of Newcastle. I really can't see the reasoning for removing the external readers, unless the hardware hasn't lasted as long as they'd expected (or is out of warranty). On every other bus I was on it was delaying boarding times. The younguns with key cards were alright with it, but the OAPs were generally puzzled at the lack of a reader. It was then the few failed attempts before a successful read of the pass. In fact one (late) Cobalt Clipper I was on, the driver was just asking the OAPs to hand their pass over and scanning it for them.
I'd really love to see some data on boarding times with and without the readers. Although perhaps that's the reason only two depots have removed them at present?
I agree - it could be that GNE are making a comparison between the two.
If that is the case, it's slightly irritating that such a poor job has been done of cutting the plastic/glass of the driver's cab to allow easier access to the scanner on the ETM.
As far as I know, no depots in the South Division have removed their external card readers whereas depots in the North Division have started to gradually remove them. In doing so, they've left marks on the floor, there's bars there, all sorts. It really does look bad, so I'm hoping that the external readers are re-fitted.