(05 Aug 2017, 7:29 pm)Dan wrote Isn't the purpose of the SmartZone scheme to allow passengers to travel on more than one operator? Why, if that is the case, would you ever expect it would be rolled out to Washington? Passengers would be paying a premium to travel on more than one operator in an area where there is just one.
The only time I'd imagine it would ever be considered by the SmartZone partners, is if the scheme permitted adding more than one zone to your ticket (i.e. Sunderland plus Washington), but even still, this would be priced higher than the comparable monthly ticket with one operator.
If you think travelling by bus is expensive, then perhaps you should weigh up the option of travelling by car (taking into account the cost of car, insurance, wear and tear of things such as tyres, petrol, etc).
It is when you have to use Go North East as a bus operator, hell this upcoming Tuesday I am using Cross Country from Newcastle to York, then on Thursday I am using the Megabus from Leeds back to Newcastle which has only cost me £4 for each journey which is cheaper than a GNE 1 Zone Day Ticket, see below the cost comparison between GNE, SNE & ANE based on Day, Weekly and Monthly passes, does not include Route/Area Day, Weekly and Monthly passes as I am merely going off of cost of the operators standard tickets.
Stagecoach North East
Dayrider = £4 - 7 Days = £13.50 - Monthly = £51.50
Dayrider Plus (All Zones) = £5 - 7 Day = £16.00 - Monthly = £61.50
Go North East
1 Zone Day Ticket = £5.10 - 7 Days = £21 - Monthly = £68
2 Zone Day Ticket = £6.50 - 7 Days = £27 - Monthly = £89
3 Zone+ (All Zones) Day Ticket = £8 = 7 Days = £34 = Monthly - £105
Arriva North East - Northumberland & Tyne + Wear Tickets
1 Zone = £4.40 - 7 Days = £17.80 - Monthly = £65.00
2 Zones = £6.00 - 7 Days = £23.50 - Monthly = £85.00
All Zones = £7.00 - 7 Days = £26.00 - Monthly = £91.00
Are Go North East's fares justifiable now compared to it's competitors who are evidently cheaper.