(18 May 2021, 9:27 am)tcts24 wrote
Again, the Explorer is brilliant for what it is and I did used to have a bus day out once per week with one. I eventually tired of the constant aguments with Arriva drivers reluctant to accept a Go-Ahead Explorer because they wont scan through thier machines. Go-Ahead drivers (especially Deptford for some reason) didn't like Arriva tickets because they didn't scan through their ticket machines. Stagecoach drivers were generally okay, but the odd one were not happy because it wasn't a Stagecoach ticket. And I never even dared attempt to use one on a Scarlet Band contracted route, which I'm led to believe is possible but not exactly well advertised. Only Metro and Ferry consistantly accepted it without a challenge.
And that's ultimately what generally stops me from being a regular bus user.
Surprised at the issues you seem to have had with Explorer acceptance - I've travelled widely across the North-east, invariably using the Explorer as I want to have freedom to use any services of the three main operators, and I don't think there have been any cross-operator issues at all. Sure, the drivers peer fairly closely at it, then moan because the critical information is printed in a different place by their rivals to where their version would have it, but never a problem with validity.