(05 Feb 2021, 7:37 pm)Dan wrote Yes, that was the presentation used at the launch of the NEbus initiative, back in August 2019, at the Life Science Centre in Newcastle. Stakeholders were invited to watch the presentation, with the three Managing Directors of Arriva, Go North East and Stagecoach all spoke, along with Andrew Scott from Stanley Travel representing SME operators.
The Durham SmartZone ticket was postponed, but is still planned to be introduced, now early this year, and the 'fare capping' trial has been introduced by Go North East (on the VOLTRA electric buses) but not adopted more widely yet. Go North East plans a further extension on another route very soon.
A lot of work went into the leaflet and route maps for Newcastle City Centre - Go North East led on their production (as Martijn is the Chair of the NEbus panel). Very time-consuming and arguably something that ought to be led by Nexus, given they control what is shown and where.
The Durham SmartZone would have to be bloody enormous for it to make sense though, it'd have to take into account people travelling from both Bishop Auckland and Consett, unless they break it down even further.
I like the idea of TOTO, but it'll be a no-go for me if it it's only available for full priced fares. I think the 21 would be quite a good route to test it on.