(21 Jan 2018, 4:39 pm)mb134 wrote Hence why I made the point that if I wasn't too sure what it included, I'd check on the map (or ask the driver...)
I'd say this is probably what has led to Arriva having a vast amount of options available, which in my opinion is the best way to go about it, as long as drivers are adequately knowledgeable about the tickets they may be selling on their route. There is absolutely no cost to Arriva to have a low-selling ticket on their system, and if it is very good value for money, they could even spot that and try to promote it more. Don't then withdraw the ticket because it isn't sold that often. As we've seen with the Consett example, all it does is create bad press for the company (which, incidentally, could cost them money)
Totally agree about promoting tickets more. Particularly if they aren't selling well.
I think the most important thing is need to find out why they aren't selling well.
Of course, it could all be PR spin. They could be selling by the bucket load!
I think your line (and BLM's reference) to drivers is also an important point.
If staff within depots aren't ensuring front line staff are fully aware of the ticketing options available, then questions need asking.
There are all sorts of methods in ensuring staff are aware of tickets.
Of course a conscientious driver could do their own home-work...
(21 Jan 2018, 5:45 pm)Adrian wrote Good post.
I agree - the old 'Go n Save' tickets made things as simple as can be, and it was a mistake to ditch them in favour of the illogical Buzzfare boundaries. Everybody seemed to know what they'd need with the old ticketing options - either a Tyne and Wear, Three Cities (T&W+Co. Durham) or Regionwide ticket. There was no real dispute about where the boundaries lay. Buzzfare came in and it divided the Tyne and Wear ticket into three zones - including a boundary for some of those commuting from Gateshead to Newcastle, and more bizarrely, a boundary between Shiney Row and Washington Galleries. That of course only tells half a story, because it is without the multiple route savers, town savers and so on.
I've long called for a 24 hour ticket, as oppose to having 'day' tickets. It doesn't seem right that you're charged the same price for a day ticket at 6pm, as you would be at 6am. Despite having some 12 hours extra use out of it. The same goes for Sunday and bank holiday; why should you pay the same price for your day ticket on either of those days, when you have about 1/3 of the normal service operating? You wouldn't pay the price for a pint for a 1/3 in a pub... you'd pay for a third. So why should public transport be any different?
I quite like the idea of evening fares too, and I'd like to think that they'd support the viability of more frequent buses on an evening. Arriva run a '5 for a Fiver' fare in Durham City after 7pm, which is bound to be cheaper than a taxi in all cases.
Overall, I would like to see a lot more integrated working between the major operators in the North East. It is quite clear that they are reluctant to compete with each other route by route, and I think we've seen since deregulation, that it provides little benefit for the passengers when they do. So why not take advantage of the Buses Bill, and have some proper integrated multi bus operator ticketing instead? Cut Nexus and the Metro out, and have a decent product that offers good value for money to everyone... we might actually get somewhat closer to the pipe-dream of an 'Oyster card for the North'... 
My travel habits have changed over the years. Numerous reasons for it, be it work, family or other things.
However, it goes without saying, that the 2006 changes had an impact on my travel habits.
How many other passengers have seen their habits change (positively or negatively), since the 2006 changes?
I would love to know how the changes have forced change in say Friday night trips to the club for a game of pool.
Whilst I appreciate operators may say they have no social responsibility, they must see at some point that ticket changes, route changes and anything else that impacts on someones life, can and will have long term consequences on their operations.
Just a few of examples of this:
A famous examples was the 194/M1 changes and the removal of a direct bus to St Roberts/Biddick.
I regularly got the 71 on an evening to/from Chester and used to see punters on a Friday get off at Lumley club. They would get the last bus home, getting back home for 23.30.
Nowadays, they will be home before 21.30! Assuming they still go to/from Lumley on a Friday.
Ihave no idea if they do or not unfortunately...
Weekday match at SJP. Not sure whether to thank GNE or not for this one.
Apart from gambling on the last full 4 (at 22.10), fancying an X1 and a walk or a 21, 20 and a walk (done that once - never again), using public transport isnt really an option any more.
At least it has saved me the torture of regularly watching the dross being served out at SJP over the last 12 years.
