(05 Nov 2014, 12:13 pm)eezypeazy wrote Newcastle and Metrocentre are well served from 0530 - 2330 every day! Even if you have to change once!Appreciate you don't always answer questions that are directed at you - but if you could (or anyone else) provide evidence of how a resident in say, Fencehouses (still T&W not Teesside and definitely not the rural hinterlands of Co Durham or Northumberland) could get to Newcastle or the Metrocentre for 0530 in the morning and get home, using a bus at 2330 (2300 is probably late enough to be honest) bearing in mind the early start) - with one change in either direction, it would be massively appreciated.
It's the utility of the car (and rising affluence) that makes the car more attractive.
It is more or less impossible to get to/from Sunderland City Centre or Durham at those times (those being the administrative areas for both parts of Fencehouses), so it will be interesting seeing the options available to/from Newcastle or the Metrocentre.
Whilst understanding and appreciating every town and village can't have a direct bus to every other town or village - operators need to understand that not all passengers like faffing on changing buses either as part of a one off trip or regular commute.
Changing buses to get somewhere, will and does, put people off.
I have told you about it putting me off (in addition to the ever increasing costs) and I know of others (such as those campaigning during the M1/Herrington Burn fiasco) who preferred their direct bus, before the powers that be decided it wasn't important enough.
I would prefer using public transport. I want to use public transport. I drive too much and get sick of it.
The prices and impracticalities of using public transport, dictate that I use the car in the majority of cases where there is a choice.
#bringbackthe21a
#hashtagsonNEB
(05 Nov 2014, 1:54 pm)Chris wrote Congestion charging is an interesting one, on balance (as a motorist) I'd be in favour of it. For the most part I use my car for work. Cost and convenience (and lazyness I guess) are the principle reasons for this. I don't need my car for work, and there is no reason I can't get the bus. I just need a 'stick' to change my habits.
A random musing - back in the 6 weeks holiday I had cause to go from sunny Winlaton to the QE Hospital. The 69 was called for. And it was excruciating. Painful even. Knocking on 50 minutes sat on a cadet as it winds its way across Gateshead at 20mph, stopping every couple of stops to wait time. Never again.
Going home was a different kettle of fish altogether. X1 non stop to Gateshead, straight onto an X66 to MetroCentre, then stepped straight onto a 49 to Winlaton. The scrum dashing from the X66 to the waiting 49 suggested regulars do this too. Seamless, although I appreciate I hit lucky with timings. Best of all it took less time than the 'direct but around the world' 69.
The point, if there is one, is that I for one would rather change buses if it means my overall journey time is quicker.
On pricing, it did take my breath away a bit when the driver of the 69 relieved me of the best part of £5 for a purple buzzfare. But on the way back, I felt it was good value using it 3 times. For me, it's part psychological. £4.85 (?) for a buzzfare is, in my mind, £5. I've cracked a note to pay for the fare, and I can't do much (e.g buy a paper) with the change. To all intents and purposes, I've just spent a fiver. Weird, I know.
Could you do that commute/trip 5 days a week? Do you think the £5 daily fare (granted it would be cheaper on a longer term pass) is value for money, as opposed to driving?