(02 Oct 2017, 3:08 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Stagecoach Sunderland Eveningrider looks a good deal priced at £2.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and...eningrider

Is it £2 per trip or £2 all evening?
Not too clear.

The name would suggest all evening

(04 Oct 2017, 4:04 am)tyresmoke wrote The name would suggest all evening

That's the thing. It suggests it, but there's nothing to say it definitely is.

(04 Oct 2017, 7:50 am)Andreos1 wrote That's the thing. It suggests it, but there's nothing to say it definitely is.

Given that it's listed under "day tickets" which state "Our day tickets allow you to make as many journeys as you like for one day on Stagecoach buses.

They offer more value for money than buying a single or return, as you can travel on all our buses within your chosen ticket zone." 
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/regionalti...daytickets
To be fair, none of the other tickets seem to actually specify that they're valid on multiple journeys. Presumably Stagecoach assume that people who use their services, are familiar enough with the suffix "rider", to know that it's a generic Stagecoach term for a multi journey ticket.

(02 Oct 2017, 4:48 pm)Andreos1 wrote Is it £2 per trip or £2 all evening?
Not too clear.

I have checked this with the Communications Team and they confirm that the Sunderland evening rider covers all the trips you may wish to make in the defined area from 19:00. 

So even for someone making a £2.20 single journey it would be cheaper to buy the evening rider at £2.00.

(04 Oct 2017, 1:36 pm)tcts24 wrote
Given that it's listed under "day tickets" which state "Our day tickets allow you to make as many journeys as you like for one day on Stagecoach buses.

They offer more value for money than buying a single or return, as you can travel on all our buses within your chosen ticket zone." 
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/regionalti...daytickets
To be fair, none of the other tickets seem to actually specify that they're valid on multiple journeys. Presumably Stagecoach assume that people who use their services, are familiar enough with the suffix "rider", to know that it's a generic Stagecoach term for a multi journey ticket.

To be fair, when clicking on the original link, the url doesn't appear to have anything other than a Press Release included.
It is only when you dig a little further like you and GPR have, that it becomes totally clear.

(04 Oct 2017, 3:34 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote I have checked this with the Communications Team and they confirm that the Sunderland evening rider covers all the trips you may wish to make in the defined area from 19:00. 

So even for someone making a £2.20 single journey it would be cheaper to buy the evening rider at £2.00.

Cheers. 
Hopefully they make it a little more obvious to ordinary passengers.
It is excellent value and it would be a shame for people to be not totally aware of its value.

Two bus trips over the weekend, a combined duration of approx 45 minutes (30mins + 15mins) and a wallet that's £7.90 lighter.

Not sure what word/s I should use to describe my feelings...
*looks for a meme of Dick Turpin*

---

(09 Oct 2017, 12:05 pm)Andreos1 wrote Two bus trips over the weekend, a combined duration of approx 45 minutes (30mins + 15mins) and a wallet that's £7.90 lighter.

Not sure what word/s I should use to describe my feelings...
*looks for a meme of Dick Turpin*

This will do

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15...l/?ref=rss

Pricing deal for ANE passengers in Darlington, ahead of Christmas rush.

(11 Oct 2017, 8:15 pm)Andreos1 wrote http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15...l/?ref=rss

Pricing deal for ANE passengers in Darlington, ahead of Christmas rush.

How do the opposition peeps propose to make it cheaper/better for OAPs when they already travel for free?

(11 Oct 2017, 8:34 pm)BusLoverMum wrote How do the opposition peeps propose to make it cheaper/better for OAPs when they already travel for free?

I did wonder that myself.
Must admit to being keen on the budget utilised for these cheaper tickets and wondering how it will benefit the taxpayer more than it does the operator (I know... like a broken record...)

(11 Oct 2017, 9:15 pm)Andreos1 wrote I did wonder that myself.
Must admit to being keen on the budget utilised for these cheaper tickets and wondering how it will benefit the taxpayer more than it does the operator (I know... like a broken record...)

hopefuly, people will spend more money in Darlo - which doesn't benefit local taxes at all, apart from keeping busineses afloat, even if all the money spent is on M&S sarnies eaten on the steps.  

What would really help shoppers of all ages is putting some blinking soap in the loos in the Dolphin centre.

Arriva are rolling out the Twilight Fare to Stockton's 'Frequenta' 7a. All journeys after 7pm will be £1.

(11 Oct 2017, 10:24 pm)BusLoverMum wrote hopefuly, people will spend more money in Darlo - which doesn't benefit local taxes at all, apart from keeping busineses afloat, even if all the money spent is on M&S sarnies eaten on the steps.  

What would really help shoppers of all ages is putting some blinking soap in the loos in the Dolphin centre.

It's win-win for ANE if their discounts are covered in full by the council.
Assuming non-regular or 1st time punters are happy with the service, they have the potential to become regular passengers. Paying full-whack going forward.

I would hazard a guess that those living in the areas covered by the ticket are already aware of what Darlo has (or hasn't) to offer them.

*Apparently* - Arriva are also extending the Durham District fare zone from the end of the month.

It has been suggested that it will be extended south to Rushyford & Sedgefield and to the East to cover as far as Wheatley Hill.

(13 Oct 2017, 11:41 am)RobinHood wrote *Apparently* - Arriva are also extending the Durham District fare zone from the end of the month.

It has been suggested that it will be extended south to Rushyford & Sedgefield and to the East to cover as far as Wheatley Hill.

That'll save me some pennies, if we haven't moved by then, though I have noticed that the price differential between the Durham District and Durham county tickets has closed significantly, over the past few years.

(13 Oct 2017, 11:41 am)RobinHood wrote *Apparently* - Arriva are also extending the Durham District fare zone from the end of the month.

It has been suggested that it will be extended south to Rushyford & Sedgefield and to the East to cover as far as Wheatley Hill.

Wheatley Hill should be with in the East Durham Saver as this would benefit most people. As Peterlee is where most people do there shopping..

(13 Oct 2017, 7:37 pm)2bagstew wrote Wheatley Hill should be with in the East Durham Saver as this would benefit most people. As Peterlee is where most people do there shopping..

Aye, but a lot of Thornley folk tend to go to Durham because it's a lot quicker. (And smells nicer, once you get away from the bus station!) I know a few people who go out and make a day of it.

(13 Oct 2017, 7:43 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Aye, but a lot of Thornley folk tend to go to Durham because it's a lot quicker. (And smells nicer, once you get away from the bus station!) I know a few people who go out and make a day of it.

A few years ago when I lived in Wordsworth Av a lot of folk used the 21/21A(213) for to Peterlee for Shopping but 22 was always used for a Day out to Durham or Hartlepool in them days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(13 Oct 2017, 8:31 pm)2bagstew wrote A few years ago when I lived in Wordsworth Av a lot of folk used the 21/21A(213) for to Peterlee for Shopping but 22 was always used for a Day out to Durham or Hartlepool in them days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can't really do much with a day in Hartlepool, these days, though my mother in law is partial to fish and chips from TJ Hugh's. She can't really manage it on the bus any more, though, as she needs her scooter.

(13 Oct 2017, 9:38 am)Andreos1 wrote It's win-win for ANE if their discounts are covered in full by the council.
Assuming non-regular or 1st time punters are happy with the service, they have the potential to become regular passengers. Paying full-whack going forward.

I would hazard a guess that those living in the areas covered by the ticket are already aware of what Darlo has (or hasn't) to offer them.

Sorry, if I've missed something, but how can it possibly be legal for a local authority to subsidise "discounts" on commercial bus services - let alone on a single operator?

(13 Oct 2017, 8:39 pm)BusLoverMum wrote You can't really do much with a day in Hartlepool, these days, though my mother in law is partial to fish and chips from TJ Hugh's. She can't really manage it on the bus any more, though, as she needs her scooter.

Hartlepool is has really gone down over the years an hour in the town is more than enough for me. Many moons ago I could spend a full day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(13 Oct 2017, 8:44 pm)2bagstew wrote Hartlepool is has really gone down over the years an hour in the town is more than enough for me. Many moons ago I could spend a full day.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's a shame buses haven't properly made their way down to navigation point, much more attractive things to do there. Between Middleton Grange, Marina Way shops, the maritime museums and Navigation Point I think Hartlepool can make a day out. The issue arises that these locations are probably just too far away from one another to be practical or attractive for most people. Some sort  of town centre circular would be beneficial to all parties, but  highly unlikely to happen.

(13 Oct 2017, 11:41 am)RobinHood wrote *Apparently* - Arriva are also extending the Durham District fare zone from the end of the month.

It has been suggested that it will be extended south to Rushyford & Sedgefield and to the East to cover as far as Wheatley Hill.

Confirmed - ETC customers have been notified by email:

"Good morning,
Due to changes to our boundaries in the County Durham area, the Durham District zone is being extended to include Ferryhill, Chilton, the Trimdons and Sedgefield. This is just an email to let you know that your ticket will entitle you to travel in these areas in addition to the travel you already get, from 29th October 2017. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
 
Kind regards,
ETC Team"

(14 Oct 2017, 6:59 pm)Adrian wrote Confirmed - ETC customers have been notified by email:

It’s only a saving of 50p from Durham County Ticket
That’s not much good for the people from Trimdon if they can’t travel too Peterlee as most people use Peterlee do there shopping.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(14 Oct 2017, 7:39 pm)2bagstew wrote It’s only a saving of 50p from Durham County Ticket
That’s not much good for the people from Trimdon if they can’t travel too Peterlee as most people use Peterlee do there shopping.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lets be fair here.... its a saving of £25 a month for those that use the ETC scheme, and currently commute between Sedgefield and Durham (or even Newcastle!). £51 for a Durham District monthly (not 4-weekly), as oppose to £76 for a Durham County monthly. Its a similar £25 saving for non-ETC customers too.

I do take the point about Trimdon, and given that the villages are classed as 'East Durham', it seems seems daft that they aren't included in the East Durham saver.

(14 Oct 2017, 7:58 pm)Adrian wrote Lets be fair here.... its a saving of £25 a month for those that use the ETC scheme, and currently commute between Sedgefield and Durham (or even Newcastle!). £51 for a Durham District monthly (not 4-weekly), as oppose to £76 for a Durham County monthly. Its a similar £25 saving for non-ETC customers too.

I do take the point about Trimdon, and given that the villages are classed as 'East Durham', it seems seems daft that they aren't included in the East Durham saver.

I feel the Durham District Ticket may be wrongly priced now as other than the day ticket £6.50 all other tickets are cheaper than eg the East Durham Saver which is £5 a day, the £23 per week, £80 per month whereas the Durham District is £18.20 for a week, £60 per month.
I would enjoy it while you can as I can’t see Arriva leaving there prices as they will be losing a lot of money.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(14 Oct 2017, 8:49 pm)2bagstew wrote I feel the Durham District Ticket may be wrongly priced now as other than the day ticket £6.50 all other tickets are cheaper than eg the East Durham Saver which is £5 a day, the £23 per week, £80 per month whereas the Durham District is £18.20 for a week, £60 per month.
I would enjoy it while you can as I can’t see Arriva leaving there prices as they will be losing a lot of money.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree that the day ticket isn't good value for money, but I don't think there can be any argument about the monthly/4-weekly options representing very good value for money. You've also got to consider that East Durham is a competitive corridor, with Go North East providing Sunderland to Hartlepool links via Peterlee, expresses on to Newcastle and Teesside, and also a lot of local services. It is funny what a bit of competition offers customers, in terms of value for money.

I think it is perhaps a little subjective to suggest that Arriva 'will be losing a lot of money' because of their prices. Whilst clearly they won't run the buses out of the kindness of their hearts, I would hope similar caution is given to pricing customers out of the market. Equally as dangerous in my opinion.

Several years ago I stopped using the train for local travel because the bus was so much cheaper. I recently decided to give rail travel another try due to ageing buses appearing on the X21 and single deck vehicles creeping on to the 21 allocation.
I was surprised to discover that the train is now cheaper than the bus for my travel from Chester le Street to Durham and Newcastle (after 09:00).
Chester le Street to Newcastle return by bus £5.00
Chester le Street to Newcastle return by train £4.70 but reduced to £3.10 using my railcard.
Chester le Street to Durham return by bus £5.00
Chester le Street to Durham return by train £4.00 reduced to £2.65 using my railcard.
The train might not be as frequent as the bus but on the days when I can plan my journey around the train timetable that will now be my preferred mode of travel.

(20 Oct 2017, 10:40 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote Several years ago I stopped using the train for local travel because the bus was so much cheaper. I recently decided to give rail travel another try due to ageing buses appearing on the X21 and single deck vehicles creeping on to the 21 allocation.
I was surprised to discover that the train is now cheaper than the bus for my travel from Chester le Street to Durham and Newcastle (after 09:00).
Chester le Street to Newcastle return by bus £5.00
Chester le Street to Newcastle return by train £4.70 but reduced to £3.10 using my railcard.
Chester le Street to Durham return by bus £5.00
Chester le Street to Durham return by train £4.00 reduced to £2.65 using my railcard.
The train might not be as frequent as the bus but on the days when I can plan my journey around the train timetable that will now be my preferred mode of travel.

You'd be surprised at how much cheaper some local train journeys are compared to bus journeys.

Newton Aycliffe - Darlington on the train costs at off peak times: Single £3.10 and Return £3.20. Don't know what the price for the bus is but I imagine it will be more than that, especially if you live near the train station using the 5/5A.

Should be interesting to see what happens come December when the Bishop Line service increases from a 2 hour frequency to a hourly frequency during the daytime.

(14 Oct 2017, 9:02 pm)Adrian wrote I agree that the day ticket isn't good value for money, but I don't think there can be any argument about the monthly/4-weekly options representing very good value for money. You've also got to consider that East Durham is a competitive corridor, with Go North East providing Sunderland to Hartlepool links via Peterlee, expresses on to Newcastle and Teesside, and also a lot of local services. It is funny what a bit of competition offers customers, in terms of value for money.

I think it is perhaps a little subjective to suggest that Arriva 'will be losing a lot of money' because of their prices. Whilst clearly they won't run the buses out of the kindness of their hearts, I would hope similar caution is given to pricing customers out of the market. Equally as dangerous in my opinion.

The East Durham Saver now has 2 zones £4 Peterlee Zone from Station Town to Dalton Park £5 Sunderland in the North Hartlepool in the South Station Town in the West.
This 2 Zones offers more saving for people who want too just travel too Peterlee.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk