(20 Jul 2014, 5:18 pm)Dan wrote Given that the you'd only buy a Get Around 28-day ticket if you had an Under 18 Get Around Key Card, I have no idea why this is actually being compared to what is allegedly the BuzzFare equivalent (which 'ordinary' Key Card holders are entitled to).
Nevertheless, assuming both tickets are purchased 'off-the-bus':
1. 12x 28 day Get Around tickets would cost £720. (£60 x 12 months)
2. 52x 7 day BuzzFare 2 Zone tickets would cost £1248. (£24 x 52 weeks)
3. 52x 7 day BuzzFare 3 Zone tickets would cost £1638. (£31.50 x 52 weeks)
So while this is probably a mistake on Go North East's half and they probably didn't mean to compare the two, they actually deliver a much better saving than the £295.50 they claim. I believe the above calculations are correct and match the information provided on this page, but comparing Options 1 & 3 above, customers could actually save £918.
Again, this reiterates the fact that it probably wasn't meant to be these two tickets being compared, and that Go North East has made a mistake when publishing these details. Unfortunately, it isn't the first time a bus operator has made a mistake on their website and I can guarantee it certainly won't be the last time either.
I find it comes across like they're underselling their own savings. Part of the reason for that is because the products aren't being compared like for like. Why not just match the pay monthly Get Around option (£55.00) with the pay monthly all zones Buzzfare option (£94.49). You'd still get a saving of £39.49 a month or £473.88 a year? It's a comparative (and actually fantastic) saving, because you'd have to purchase the latter product if you weren't a student and were instead commuting to North Shields and back every day for work.