Updates Upset
fbb has been struggling to update the GoTimetable app and website, a task which he finds both enjoyable and incredibly frustrating at the same time. It is enjoyable because the technology delivers bus timetables (NOT a journey planner) and, for those with Android phones, timetables which download and sit on the phone; meaning no annoying wait for a good signal.
But this time has been more horrific than usual. The timetables on the PTE site (Travel South Yorkshire) are a mangle of existing pages plus bits pasted from bus company output. Here is cross city 97 and 98.
The gaps are "empty" cells and the fbb "clever" conversion routine (written by the late No 2 son) cannot cope with holes filled with nothing! fbb can, however, "convert" the files that First Bus publish on their web site. So imagine his joy when this appeared yesterday morning.
With just three days to go to the changes on Tuesday 31st, we now have "forthcoming" timetables. Except that we don't. First's policy is simply to input a FULL SET of their timetables from the change date even if the majority of them haven't changed even a teensy weensy bit.
So the potential customer has to follow the following procedure.
1, Check on the site every day to see if any changes are "forthcoming"
2. Check every "forthcoming" table to see what the changes are - if any
3. Scream with frustration and go out and buy a bike, a car or a donkey!
But at least fbb could source a useable 97/98 table and get it into GoTimetable over the weekend.
Only he couldn't!
The 97/98 no longer exists electronically!
The other "major" operator in Sheffield is, of course, Stagecoach.
Stagecoach - him ain't saying nuttin!
Meanwhile "Health Warnings" went out on Go Timetable at lunchtime yesterday ...
... and on the "What's new" panel.
But, never mind ...
IT'S ALL ON LINE
And, Talking Of Losing Passengers ...
Roger French has written a really thought provoking blog.
All across the country it became a steady downwards spiral which has, to some extent been reversed in some populous areas - but only at "profitable" times of day.
Roger gives details of these service reductions and some are drastic. Read the full blog (here),
And treat with great suspicion any politician who tells you that his or her territory needs a bus service "as good as that in London." And, if you get the chance, ask any politician, touting the excellence of London, to explain by how much the local taxes would have to rise to pay for it!
Would passenger numbers be in decline in London if you could obtain a bus timetable, ANY bus timetable? It would seem that proper timetables will become even more important as frequencies are cut below a level that might be called "turn up and go".
Remember, timetables in London are
NOT all on line.
Remember? Cornwall Council has managed to deliver "One Network for Cornwall" that is no such thing.
Folk who visit the area are continuing to realise how daft it is - it is not just fbb having a grump. Well he is having a grump but with good reason!
This is from the "Freewheeling Blog".
As a family, we’ve been visiting Penzance at least once a year since I was 5.
But this year, I was particularly looking forward to our easiest-ever visit.
I’d read a lot about the ambitions of Cornwall Council in improving the bus network - and the money they’ve been given by central Government to help.
As a car-free family visiting a rural area, I assumed we’d benefit from more buses and better service.
But I’m afraid we were in for a serious disappointment.
The blogger then goes on to explain the nonsense that has been covered in this blog - Many Times, Many Times. He publishes the two maps of Penzance which ignore the other's services completely.
But our blogging chum also focuses on the cost impact of this nonsense.
In previous years on our visits to Cornwall, we’ve bought a seven-day family pass for First Kernow, costing around £50-60. We could then use virtually the entire Cornwall bus network without having to think any further about it. Perfect.
We bought the same pass this year, but - of course - this year, half the local network has been tendered to Go Cornwall, but no-one has created a multi-operator pass.
The First pass (which now covers only half the network) is still £60 but isn’t valid on any of the Go Cornwall buses.
If we wanted to get the same level of freedom as in previous years, we’d also need to buy seven day Go Cornwall passes. Moreover, they don’t do a family version, which means we’d need two £27 adult passes and two £14 child passes. As we still need the £60 First pass, that means the cost of a week’s family bus pass in Cornwall has gone up from £60 to £142.
£34 million of investment and the effect on my family is a 137% price rise!
Transport for Cornwall (TfC) is starting to COMPETE with First!
Here is First's U1 between Truro and Falmouth ...
... with map.
And here is TfC's new F1 service ...
It is a remarkable 20 minutes faster than First, so it is reasonable to assume that it is VERY limited stop!
And there's more; this time First's hourly 27 service between Truro and Bodmin ...
... and map.
TfC's version is numbered 26 ...
... but only runs from Snozzle to Bodmin. Instead of trying to serve everywhere with one wiggly route, TfC alternates via Bugle or Roche; reducing the end to end journey time from 67 minutes to just 45! And the further bonus is a 30 minute frequency.
Both will hurt First. Whilst faster end to end times are attractive, there are simply not enough passengers, currently, to justify the extra resources being used.
There are three possibilities.
Go Ahead (TfC) are in so much financial trouble with their highly competitive quote for the whole network that they are desperate for additional income.
Go Ahead are being "persuaded" by Cornwall Council (unofficially, of course) to snap their jaws at First so First will eventually go away. Then there WILL only be one network!
Go Ahead are getting ready for a dramatic increase in passenger numbers when the "all Cornwall" (including First) cheap fares scheme starts.
fbb cannot help thinking about the Go Ahead (TfC) policy ...
Models But Not Much Money
Yet ANOTHER tank wagon!
This was not really a serious contender for fbb's world famous tank wagon collection. Anyway, he already has a "proper" Sodor Fuel tanker.
The topmost model is not really OO gauge and is obviously a push along toy. Note the crude and simple couplings mended equally crudely by a previous owner. But it makes an interesting comparison with a model made for OO gauge track. And it cost ...
... just one shiny pound in a Seaton "antique" shop. Could fbb fit "proper" OO gauge wheels? Dunno yet; but he'll try.
For nine of the similar coins (plus postage) this beauty arrived yesterday.
It is from the stable of Bachmann America and thus to HO scale, but the smaller size (same gauge) will not be noticeable as US stock in reality is larger than its equivalent in the UK.
It has US couplings which fbb will have to change (scary!) but the old man thought it would make a nice train for the Peterville Quarry Railway when attached to Toby and Henrietta.
Postscript
Thanks to correspondent Peter who has commented on the RDG prophecy item from yesterday's blog.
Peter's thoughts will feature tomorrow with a bit more about Stockport bus stations old and proposed.
Next Variety blog : Monday 30th August
You've totally missed the new Go Cornwall 25A/25B competition to First's 24 in Fowey meaning Go Cornwall has double its frequency!
ReplyDeleteGoAhead's advance publicity about the service changes also completely missed this!
DeleteRe the 97/98 timetable provided by the PTE - it appears that from today it has reverted to running via High St rather than Arundel Gate in the Totley-wards direction. I wonder how it's going to do that with Pinstone St permanently closed to traffic?
ReplyDeleteIt's typical Go Ahead bully boy tactics. They have had a grioe with First since the bus war in Plymouth a few years back they pushed First out of Plymouth whom sold up to Stagecoach and are now trying to do same in Cornwall
ReplyDelete