(27 Mar 2014, 10:01 pm)Dan wrote I'm positive one of our forum members we associate with Go North East mentioned it as a possibility at the time - though it may have been amongst other reasons too, I'm not sure.

It goes without saying that the online presence would have allowed for a greater number of consultation responses, but the responses were not necessarily coming from the people that they should have been. Someone living in Fencehouses had the option to fill out the survey when it was online, and they might have only used the affected services once or twice per month yet had the same voice as someone who used the services multiple times per day. While 'spoof' seems a little exaggerated in this example, I don't think it's right that they had the ability to influence network changes. How likely is it that someone who lives in Fencehouses will travel to Park Lane, the City's main Library, or use a bus to Monkwearmouth for the sake of picking up a consultation leaflet? Far less, I'm sure.

I'm not being bias in any way whatsoever, but I really do think the new method is a lot better. Realistically, there is no way someone should be missed out. If I'm completely honest, the people who are less likely to notice the leaflets are the elderly. They should still have a say (and will if they receive one through their letter box), but I feel they're less likely to spot the leaflets on board buses. I don't know if this was the intention or not, but I can understand why it would be. The major thing which bugs me is that the results aren't available in the old .pdf document which was previously circulated, but this is mainly from an enthusiasts' point of view.

It would take a pretty dedicated person to go out of their way just to pick up a leaflet, but taking into account people in Fencehouses are possibly going to their nearest city centre for a number of reasons, the probability of them picking up a leaflet in a travelshop, in a library or on a bus (a Northern spare from Deptford or a 35a that goes through Monkwearmouth), is increased quite a bit.
If they are travelling to Monkwearmouth for work, pleasure or something else, which is entirely possible - then they can pick up a leaflet and be entitled to vote, just as much as you are as a regular passenger.
Using a service once or twice a month, doesn't make that person less important.

I haven't been consulted on North Sunderland changes, but not too long ago, my Dad was being treated in Monkwearmouth Hospital.
Those changes could have affected visiting using public transport and I am sure the families of many others (in or out patients) could have been affected by changes too.

Only 300 people responded to the changes, yet the changes were approved, based on a 15% return.
Limiting the sample to 2000 leaflets, restricted to people who happened to be in the right place at the right time or who went out of their way to request one via post, doesn't assist the wider population nor the company.
It may save money in the short term, but not sure on long term.
The more people an operator can engage with, then despite the odd rogue response (just look at AdamY's ethnicity and sexual background), the better an understanding they can get.
And as aureolin has quite rightly pointed out technology can be used. Pretty sure Survey Monkey is restricted via an ip address to one response too.

Passengers make a company tick. Not the other way around.