Is this the future of Bus Services?
For those that use buses, either regularly or occasionally, maybe when on campsites, will know that COVID has had a negative impact on some services purely because of the drop in passenger numbers. We are facing this on some semi rural services around Milton Keynes. Fortunately rather than just cancelling services some Councils, including MK, are starting to use alternative systems using on demand services. Or to give it a grander title "Demand Responsive Transport". The way it works is that you have an App on your phone, a bit like the Uber App, where you set where you are and where you want to go to. The App will direct you to the nearest bus stop and tell you how long it will take for the bus to arrive. You can also pay by the App as well, not sure what happens to concessionary fares but I believe they are also catered for. You can also use an ordinary phone but you will miss out on many of the features offered by a Smart Phone like the map feature.
Anyone interested in a bit more information on how it works can watch this Geoff Marshall Youtube video
For those of you interested in all things trains, especially around London Geoff has many informative videos available on YouTube.
David
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I've no plans to board bus, train or taxi BUT I had to use a taxi 10 days ago when I got a call at 1730 from the emergency eye clinic to attend immediately. OH not allowed to drive after surgery and stroke, inconvenient time to phone a friend, not to mention was is within the rules - I think not, so I'm interested in developments for just such unforeseen eventualities. As it was taxi was swift, expensive, screened and chilly with open rear windows!
Some folk have no choice and we should be grateful that we do have the option.
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As well as an hourly bus service we've got on demand services but at present they will only take one person at a time due to Covid. One person per mini bus isn't very cost effective but it's helping some get to vaccination centres and GP appointments etc.
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I received my new (replacement) bus pass at the beginning of February last year and to date have not checked if it works. Hopefully once we’ve had both doses of the vaccine and can get away in the MH again, we will have the confidence to use them.
An App based on demand service, sounds rather good. As long as when you ask it the reply isn’t the next service is a week Tuesday.😂0 -
I am maybe the odd one out - I make good use of buses locally....
I'm retired, I spent a working life which involved a lot of driving as part of my occupation, so now it's good to just let someone else take the strain when I can get away with it.
I live in a village which has a bus passing by every 15/20 minutes just 100yards from my front door, which runs from one town centre to another, so a choice of popping into the village, or either town centre, or another village centre - with a maximum trip time of around 40 minutes.
My car lives in it's garage. Getting it out the garage and out of the drive gates is a bit of a chore and a great incentive to just hop on a bus for free with my pass instead. I got the free pass at 60, but never used it at all until long after I retired and my first ride on a bus in something like 50+ years. They don't have conductors any more, just a driver and they are no longer open at the back :-)
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I have an interest in buses and I am a regular reader of Buses magazine. I am also a subscriber to Geoff Marshall's YouTube channels (Geoff Marshall and All the Stations) which carry myriad excellent videos - mostly on trains rather than buses. He, together with his partner Vicky, is a very successful YouTuber and his channels are very well subscribed.
DRT is proving somewhat hit and miss so far and its future is very uncertain. Arrivaclick were a main driver (sorry for the unintended pun) of this type of bus provision, but I believe they have withdrawn their service in Liverpool and Sittingbourne. They have a service in Watford I think and they have a service very near to me which serves the area where I live.
Most months, in Buses magazine, one reads of DRT services starting and others ending. I have never thought it worthwhile trying the DRT service near me and one rarely sees anyone on the well turned out Mercedes mini-buses. Since COVID I have hardly used buses at all, but historically, and I am sure in the future, I prefer the fixed timetable buses, which fortunately are in easy reach for me and include no less than five different options. One knows exactly where one stands (literally as well as figuratively) with these and I can decide more or less at the drop of a hat to catch a bus into town or out of town to Hinckley or Nuneaton or even Coventry.
Difficulties that have been publicised with DRT include: reliance on apps when some, especially the elderly (more likely to be the customers of such services), have no smart phone or, if they have, are unwilling to use Apps (especially where they require complicated set up processes); lack of good internet signal in some rural areas making using the app difficult; withdrawal of pre-booked journeys leaving travellers high and dry; high cost, which can be up to £2.50 per mile and usually greater than the use of a car; a universal requirement to book, sometimes a day ahead, preventing spontaneous decisions to travel; lack of concessions on some services (my local service is now 50% off if you hold a concession, but until recently there was no concession at all). The MK service does give concessions.
There are many reasons why rural bus services have lost custom over the years (it is not, of course, about COVID although quite obviously that has not helped) and it is seriously doubtful that DRT addresses any of these; some argue that it makes them worse.
Where there is a timetabled service available, I will always prefer that. But where there is no service, maybe DRT will ultimately prove to be the answer; I am highly negative about DRT, but maybe time will prove me very wrong.
Mod edit, I have corrected the original post so have removed the ref to George. Thanks for highlighting. I have no idea where George came from as I am a regular viewer of Geoff's Channel on YouTube!!! DK
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Crikey, I only just noticed that the OP is eight months old! Sorry, a bit behind the curve here.
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I still find 'traveline' a good place for train and bus timetables, mapping and planning a journey.
Seems to be better working than the Arriva app.
By the way took my first bus journey for over two years and was surprised to find that I was the only person wearing a face mask. School children packed the vehicle so I am not surprised by that category possibly causing localised outbreaks of the virus.
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