(18 Jul 2013, 6:45 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I don't mind if the Metro is off for a reason, because at the end of the day, it probably can't be helped. It's just the way they deal with it (and the fact it's now happening nearly EVERY day!)
Yeah, this is beginning to be a real issue. As you say, some of the problems can't be helped. But to give simplified reasons like Oh, the Metro's aren't running because the weather's too hot makes it look like they're providing excuses rather than answers. There's no denying that its been hot over the past week or so, but, there have been times where the weather has been just as hot (Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23355833) so it would be interesting to draw parallels between how the Metro performed then against now. It just looks like the weather has provided a convenient excuse to cover a whole host of problems.
Being told "Metro's off, you know?" by staff at the station doesn't really help. They should also learn which buses actually serve stations during the day and at other times - for example, when it was off in Sunderland a few days ago, according to the NEXUS website, the 26A could be used as a replacement - erm... isn't that just an evening service on weekdays?
Also, staff should be saying tickets can only be used on, for example, the 27 between Heworth and Newcastle. Passengers boarding the X9 today were turned away at Heworth, with the driver being described as "just being awkward" - at the end of the day, tickets aren't being accepted on other services and staff should tell people who probably don't know the buses as well this information.
Obviously, it's going to be a struggle to provide Metro Replacement Buses at such short notice. But, since disruption is now becoming such a regular occurrence, you'd think that there would be some emergency contingency agreement that would come into immediate effect. This information could be permanently displayed at all Metro stations in order to familiarise passengers with details of alternative transport provision (something along the lines of 'In the unfortunate event that we are not able to provide your Metro service; then please use the following services if Metro Replacement Buses are unavailable...) - in addition to this information being made available through Nexus' website and social media. At the appropriate juncture, the information could immediately relayed to relevant bus companies, and passengers, although inconvenienced, would have some idea of what service to catch and whether their tickets would be valid.
It's almost too simple.