(26 Feb 2020, 12:53 pm)streetdeckfan wrote My point was that those people who you say should be encouraged to use the bus are probably not the sort of person that will be going to the train station.
The average person probably wants to go back home once they've been out, and as such will more than likely want a return ticket if they're just travelling along one route, or a day ticket if they have to change buses.
To me anyway, it's the difference between buying a single bottle of water and buying a 6 pack for only a little bit more. The single ticket is there to take advantage of those who only need a one off trip, the very fact that they're buying that single ticket and not a day ticket tells them that they're not a regular passenger.
Plus, you have to take in to account that the costs that would normally be spread out with a day/return ticket are only being used once. You have the card processing fee if they're paying by card (usually about 2%), paper, driver's time (selecting ticket, counting change etc.). Sure, it's not a lot, but it all adds up.
I'd actually be quite interested in seeing the average amount of times a day ticket is used, my guess is probably 3 (with most people using it 4 times ie. two buses out, two buses in, with a slightly less amount of people using it essentially as a return ticket)
Why shouldn't those people be encouraged to use the bus?
Why should it just be certain types of people?
It's cheaper to cadge a lift (clogging up the roads when doing so and probably delaying buses) to the station.
It's probably easier for some to do that judging by the number of cars clogging up roads around Durham and Newcastle stations.
Whether they're making the return trip or not the same day, they're making the conscious decision to not use the bus.
Is it because using the bus isn't convenient or is it because getting a lift is cheaper?
Each person getting a lift to the station is a potential bus passenger. To ignore them, would be folly.
Looking at the stats for central station.
2018/19
8.914 million
– Interchange
0.376 million
Let's say 1% of those passengers were dropped off/collected by car.
You're telling me, that those sorts of numbers wouldn't make a difference to the timekeeping, success or failure of a service and they're probably not the sort of passengers a bus operator would encourage to use the bus?
