(14 Sep 2021, 5:53 am)Charles41 wrote I feel greater use should be made of the legislation that allows taxi firms to run bus services. This is used in Tyne & Wear by Nexus in parts of the county.
It would be ideal for rural areas of Northumberland and County Durham. Let's say for example you use a taxi firm from Morpeth on a route to Wallington Hall. Chances are you'll be employing someone with good local knowledge. You'll be using say an eight seater minibus that can also be used for school contracts and general taxi work. You'll be able to negotiate narrow country lanes and pick/up drop off in isolated locations. All that would be needed is training the operator in ticketing options and customer service requirements. With good publicity you could make a success of it never mind encouraging local bus use.
It could also work in areas such as Hartlepool on evenings and Sundays. There are two private hire operators in Hartlepool (23 and Blue line). Use a wheelchair accessible 8 seater after conducting a survey to find out where people wish to travel the most. Then get some publicity in place.
Charles
Sounds like your describing a decent DRT system there ngl. It's where it should be for routes like that and I'm surprised a taxi firm hasn't already developed it anyway. They'd make a fortune at night if they could get a 15 bus mini seater and drop 15 punters off at different spots for a lower fare say 50% cheaper than a usual fare. It's potentially 14 less journeys aswell. All taxis do at night is do Town - Coast - (Empty Town) - Coast - (Empty Town) most the time in N. Tyneside.
Would work well on the likes of Wallington Hall and Hartlepool aswell just run the service when it's needed could have 3 drivers on standby you pick up the phone and book a time and they try to group up any demand. If there's none then it doesn't run at all. Better than running buses which carry fresh air.
Saves money for everyone but sadly it hasn't took off yet as it's too confusing and badly advertised Flex in particular.