(24 Dec 2021, 8:15 pm)Andreos1 wrote So is the X85 evidence that a Stenning copy & paste livery, tables and some WiFi isn't the solution operators thought it was?I don't think that there is any doubt that "a Stenning copy & paste livery, tables and some WiFi" doesn't work everywhere.
If punters are choosing a 35 year old train (that misses town centres along its entire Tyne Valley route) over a brand new bus, then there's obviously issues somewhere that those features mentioned above can't (and won't) fix.
(24 Dec 2021, 4:29 pm)L469 YVK wrote I think the late Mr Huntley certainly had good intentions and actually turned the business around to some extent.The big question is "can Go North East afford to offer the bargain fares it currently is doing"? or are some of them just ludicrously cheap. Fares that were nearly £5 now only £1.70. How long will these offers be extended?
My main criticisms of his decisions would be:
- Ultra high spec vehicles - would something like a Volvo B7RLE with Civic V3's or Coach Seating not sufficed over Mercs & Omnicities?
- Pricing & ticketing complicated and expensive - To give credit to Martijn, he's actually trying to turn that around.
£1.70 flat fare in Gateshead is too cheap - Nottingham City for example have a flat fare of £2.40.