tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post2153787331080250146..comments2024-03-25T22:17:35.616+00:00Comments on Public Transport Experience: More About Stagecoach and Timetablesfatbusblokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-52683062287533368102015-12-04T21:59:56.895+00:002015-12-04T21:59:56.895+00:00Ive always assumed one reason operators didn't...Ive always assumed one reason operators didn't show on bus fares on their websites was because they realised what a disincentive to travel they are, so Stagecoach are to be applauded for their bravery if nothing else. Having said that this feature needs a bit of work doing. From the city centre to my stop we have the choice of three services (by a common route). At the moment each service allegedly charges a different fare, varying from £1.30 to £2.40!Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14502754753792780008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-59311167075339289522015-12-04T13:16:47.149+00:002015-12-04T13:16:47.149+00:00I've tried many times, and it simply isn't...I've tried many times, and it simply isn't necessary to set the location as you state: a simple choice of "Seaton, Devon" did the trick - in fact, I only found out how to use "East Devon" by accident (see below).<br /><br />I also got a quick result with the journey planner. Even if there was a timetable list (which I think there should be - simply because from an out of area perspective), you wouldn't be able to tell which bus you needed easily anyway for a journey involving two changes. <br /><br />I don't drive, so rely on the bus - if, to use your example, I didn't know if Stagecoach ran buses (or I didn't get a result), I would try the local council (Devon still have a half-decent timetable web presence), Travelline (it gives the basics), or just get in touch with the local tourist information centre (or council).<br /><br />"Sheffield, Sheffield" isn't as daft as it looks. It asks for "Street, Town or Postcode". How do you deal with "London Road" or "High Street"? You would need a second entry. Likewise, how do you deal with Gillingham (Kent and Devon) or Newport (South Wales/IoW). I have always assumed Seaton was Devon - until I tried running the search and found there is another one in Hartlepool. Not being aware of the precise local government of South Yorkshire, I imagine "Sheffield, South Yorkshire" would be more suitable. It is nothing more than needing a location and a larger-scale identifier - quite normal.<br /><br />The only way I found out how to set "East Devon" was by a postcode search in an area not served by Stagecoach, when it brought up the old-style area map. As soon as I changed that to one that was (Canterbury), it went straight in the local area. It seems hard to believe your minister would have had to do that if he lives in Seaton! Even if his postcode didn't drop straight in, I imagine his address might have worked - and been quicker! <br /><br />Finally, why would Stagecoach advertise a faster service run by a competitor? Does Tesco tell you Morrisons are selling something not-quite-the-same-but-might-be-better? No doubt you will answer "Partnership", but this is not a joint service in the sense of the word. Taking Oxford as an example, joint services are listed by both Stagecoach and OBC on the same corridors, but neither provide details for the others services when they are served alone (e.g. OBC don't have details of the X30, nor do Stagecoach have details of the 35... which I think has since become the X2). To get that information, the PTE website is the only correct place to be looking (in lieu of the local council). <br /><br />I have to agree with some of the other comments - it seems as though you are damned it to fail in looking for "errors" from the outset rather than critiquing it fairly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-85387996819313979442015-12-03T22:51:10.625+00:002015-12-03T22:51:10.625+00:00The new site is a really good try, and although it...The new site is a really good try, and although it could be improved, its one of the better ones. The journey planner does work, but the choice of destinations it brings up is not perfect, but considering it is a new system and covers a significant chunk of the country, and unlike some of the others, presumably funded entirely by Stagecoach - I think its a very good starting point.<br /><br />The fares function is good - As far as I know, one of the very few bus operators to now tell you the price of a single A-B fare without having to ask on the bus, or call them up. Not sure if that will make it more attractive or put people off (local single fares are usually significantly more than somebody who hasnt used the bus for a few years might expect!) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-73551767843795691872015-12-03T22:36:57.284+00:002015-12-03T22:36:57.284+00:00And for another 88, set location to Bristol, and s...And for another 88, set location to Bristol, and search 88. It returns 'Results for Gloucester', then gives four 88s, none of which serve Gloucester and two serve Bristol.<br /><br />And Ive given up trying to find the Belles Express anywhere...Colly405https://www.blogger.com/profile/11883003572431901921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-58612806460638140012015-12-03T20:04:50.636+00:002015-12-03T20:04:50.636+00:00FBB you always make a point about the 88 going to ...FBB you always make a point about the 88 going to Bents Green which is quite true. However, Stagecoach themselves actually register the service to end at Banner Cross and commence the return journey there. Drivers please themselves as to when they change destination but many 88s set off up Ringinglow Road showing Smithy Wood as the destination. Its the team in Barnsley who plan it this way and SYPTE are bound to produce timetables to the registration - doesn't matter how stupid or illogical it makes them.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-54686035837109189112015-12-03T19:14:26.399+00:002015-12-03T19:14:26.399+00:00Sorry fab, but if minister chum is simply looking ...Sorry fab, but if minister chum is simply looking for timetables it is still quick and easy to access the timetables without having to change location. There is no need to Change location from "East Devon, then Exeter, then Torbay" as the blog claims. The tools and information is there. It works perfectly fine for me - again perhaps you are looking too hard for problems...Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-52192434318977279812015-12-03T18:21:35.933+00:002015-12-03T18:21:35.933+00:00Pantomime season reply. "Oh yes it is!" ...Pantomime season reply. "Oh yes it is!" Minister chum was not journey planning, he was looking for timetables and not using the journey planner. The journey planner only works because, fortuitously, Stageocach do happen to run buses between the three. How would you manage if you didn't know that.fatbusblokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-35409788085829031772015-12-03T17:09:05.276+00:002015-12-03T17:09:05.276+00:00"And its not just Sheffield; fbb's church..."And its not just Sheffield; fbb's church minister (a bit of a bus nut) confirm that to research a journey from Seaton to Brixham, perhaps downloading relevant timetables, he needs to set his location to East Devon, then Exeter, then Torbay."<br /><br />No he doesn't - I managed with a few clicks to plan a journey between Seaton and Brixham (probably not a common journey) and had to only put in my location once. The site then gave me a journey suggestion which I could print off or download, from which there are links that will take you to the full timetable for the three services involved (52A, X64 & 12). <br /><br />All took less than one minute - very easy, efficient, and simple. But then when your modus operandi for a blog is to find things to criticise its not surprising that once again fbb is unhappy. Bennoreply@blogger.com