(15 Dec 2024, 1:40 pm)Storx wrote See I wouldn't be against the tax payer paying for it in a way. If everyone is tapping in and out then it's giving the exact data that NECA needs to track who's going where which doesn't exist right now.
It's absolutely vital information, with a cut of the ticket revenue to pay for the upkeep of the system.
Right now let's be honest no-one has a clue where people want to be as I'm sure they're convinced everyone crossing the bridges is going to Newcastle which is totally not true. A few questionaires at Morrison's at Killingworth at 3pm in an afternoon or a select few businesses is never going to get the true picture.
The data from buses will be passenger led and probably isn't accurate, as you say.
However, you've got data from within the local LA's, you've got traffic patterns from the likes of the Urban Traffic and Control Facilities.
Then there's POP card info.
I'm sure there's a lot of information can be gleaned from the Toon Travel and other Network Travel ticket sales too.
Who buys them, what are they buying, where and when and the employers involved such as Newcastle NHS Trust.
All of the data is just sitting there.
Being pro-active and getting out in the community is (again) just part of it.