(30 Sep 2017, 2:56 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Stagecoach have never been particularly good at having timetables available on board – they tend to put them on vehicles when making network changes but rarely at other times. While not available on buses, the do tend to update their printed leaflets for all but the most minor of changes and these tend to be readily available in various locations. They have always produced the Bus Guides, if they are what you mean? Even these though tend to be sparse on board and can be tricky to get hold of – especially Sunderland. Unless they have produced a new format area guide more recently?
Back to GNE, I realised why the three expresses would have been done but there are others which have seen notable cuts/changes not reflected in the printed timetables still readily available. In addition these I’m really surprised the 10 hasn’t been reprinted – there’s been two round of changes, and the rebranding, but the printed timetables are still available from prior to the July changes in the old TEN brand. A handful of services have also had two rounds of changes with no reprint.
[b{I don’t agree with moving away from paper timetables (would be interesting to know which demographic the market research focussed on), but if they aren’t going to be reprinted, they should really remove out of date editions. For example, someone picking up an X22 timetable could reasonably expect a direct run through to Durham on Sundays, but that’s not actually now available. Where there’s been minor retiming of journeys the approach described makes sense however for more substantial changes to route/withdrawal of sections I think there is an issue with ‘advertising’ one offer in printed copies but actually providing something quite different.[/b]
I am one who prefers the real-life, kinaesthetic thing, whether it be books over a kindle or a paper timetable over a digital one.
Whether I have that real physical thing is another matter, as I can't remember the past time I bought a newspaper.
However, to get back to the point you made about the survey (I won't touch on proportions or any of that survey jazz that got eezypeazy in all of a tizz on that hilarious night a few years back), I wonder if the model bus companies employ, render timetables obsolete.
On the main corridors, the buses are advertised as operating an 'x' minute frequency. Do punters really need to consult a timetable, if the bus is going to turn up in 10/12 minutes time?
Obviously this frequency operates at those frequencies during the day, when the older generation are possibly the ones travelling the most and are subject to questionnaires and surveys.
In the latter parts of the evening, when frequencies drop and say younger types are commuting or coming home from a night out, then the digital versions of the timetables may be accessed.
All hypothetical, just trying to apply some reasoning and logic to the decision.