(18 Jan 2014, 8:03 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote And why do people with concession passes get paper tickets; stopping that would speed up boarding times if they went paperless like other tickets are.

Yes I agree. From observation its often these passes which take longer than the cash fares, as the OAPs have to be told exactly how to hold their tickets. Surely in this day and age you could have a pass which you just wave at the scanner as you pass rather than have to place in exactly the right position.
Agree also how are passengers supposed to have the correct fare if the fares aren't advertised. At one time fares information was given in Middlesbrough bus station but this didn't last long.
It's easy to say passengers should have the exact money, but if you're pay's just gone into the bank on the morning and you've just drawn some out, like someone said earlier you don't get the option of coins!