(30 Dec 2014, 9:19 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote I always understood that where a commercial service and a subsidised one ran along the same route then the subsidised one could not undercut the commercial service. Obviously a secured route could only run the same way as a commercial one along short parts of a route, otherwise the subsidised service would be unnecessary and a misuse of public money.
(30 Dec 2014, 9:19 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote I always understood that where a commercial service and a subsidised one ran along the same route then the subsidised one could not undercut the commercial service. Obviously a secured route could only run the same way as a commercial one along short parts of a route, otherwise the subsidised service would be unnecessary and a misuse of public money.
(30 Dec 2014, 10:08 pm)aureolin wrote I had a similar understanding, but then again, I don't think they could price match either? As it could be viewed as either price fixing, or competing. You'd hope it would be viewed as what it is, which is a secured service filling a gap, at the 'market rate', but I'm sure it wouldn't go down that way...
(02 Mar 2015, 4:34 pm)Tom wrote Just saw on the GNE Facebook page that a single from Birtley to Gateshead is £3.20!
Is this a mistake, as that's ridiculous.
(02 Mar 2015, 4:41 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I can believe that. A single from Chester-le-Street to Pelton is £2.00 - and that's only a 7/8 minute journey!
Birtley-Gateshead is 15-20 minutes.
(02 Mar 2015, 4:43 pm)Tom wrote Ah right that is really steep! Thought it would have only been about £2.00 from Birtley to Gateshead!
The fares in North Tyneside are a lot cheaper than that. For example it's only a £3.75 return from Newcastle to Blyth!
(02 Mar 2015, 4:45 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote When on a 56 recently, between Concord and Sunderland - a guy got on and paid something like £5.70 or £5.90 for a return between the two.
(02 Mar 2015, 4:34 pm)Tom wrote Just saw on the GNE Facebook page that a single from Birtley to Gateshead is £3.20!
Is this a mistake, as that's ridiculous.
(02 Mar 2015, 8:42 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Personally, I think when Quality Contracts comes into it all - I'd like to see (presuming all other counties or areas join outside of Tyne and Wear, to make things easier and a lot better on the whole) a certain fare rate. Something like;
Travel within Tyne and Wear - £1.50
Travel from Tyne and Wear to Northumberland - £2.00
Travel from Tyne and Wear to County Durham - £2.00
And so on...
Also, I'd like to see the 'half' (as my grandad used to call it ) fare of 90 pence for a child changed. With the fairly recent fare rise of 5 pence by Go North East (something to do with drivers having issues with change?), it's only fair (given it's only 10 pence difference, and they are generally easier to come across in change) that the child's fare is rounded up to £1.00.
Just my suggestions, obviously I don't follow Quality Contracts, or the constant debate, but I do pick up they wanted to introduce some sort of fare boundary?
(02 Mar 2015, 8:51 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Thanks Dan. Shows how little I pay attention in that field.
(08 Mar 2015, 10:50 pm)leestransportphotos wrote Didn't have that much of a run around this weekend
Saturday -
X1 - Wrekenton to Newcastle
Trainspotting in Newcastle
10 - Newcastle to MetroCentre
Steam rail tour at MetroCentre
10A - MetroCentre to Newcastle
Trainspotting in Newcastle
X1 - Newcastle to Wrekenton
Sunday -
1 Wrekenton to Low Fell/Harlow Green
21 - Birtley to Barley Mow
82A - Barley Mow to Birtley
21 Birtley Station Lane to Coach and Horses