(30 Aug 2019, 7:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote
But they can make it as cheap as T&W. They (and others) choose not to.
They could reduce fares. They could introduce packages like the one you mention.
They don't. They make the conscious decision not to and to penalise parents for happening to live in the likes of a DH postcode.
Nexus (to their credit), subsidise services in T&W, but operators still muddy the waters by offering more expensive alternatives.
They don't need to do that. They make the conscious decision to do that though.
I personally think the problem is Nexus have subsidised the ticket prices too much. £1.10 for a day ticket to travel on any bus or Metro in Tyne and Wear is extraordinary cheap.
Then when they are no longer eligible for that ticket, and have to pay for an adult ticket, they look at the prices and think 'bloody hell, what a rip off, public transport is expensive!', because that's exactly what happened to me.
To me, the fact that GNE allow someone to travel nearly 30 miles on the X21 for only £1.20 is great. Sure, for the short trips it may not be exceptional value, but if you're going out for the day, £4.50 isn't a lot to spend.
Plus, what you also have to remember is County Durham is very spread out in comparison to T&W, so you end up travelling further than you would if you lived in T&W, so naturally things will cost more