It was the parallels with the TransWilts whose ups and downs over the years I have followed closely on here that made me post this. For example timetabling for operational convenience, the impact a cancellation/delay has when the next service is two hours away, the knock on effect on confidence in relying on the service in the future...

Buses seem like an easy target in this day and age for funding cuts, but as seen with the £2 single fare promotion, overall ridership has increased. Hopefully the increased economic benefits of getting extra people moving are calculated as well. Rail could well benefit from a similar boost. Then that chicken and egg could grow into organic service increases.

I've just come across this blog which amongst other things details the history of the 41 route that operated around the Hampshire and Surrey border until the end of last month (March) when it was withdrawn by Stagecoach.

It's quite a lengthy read and may not be of great interest to Coffee Shoppers, but the scans of the timetables over the years at the end tell the story well.

https://handsbusblog.wordpress.com/2023/02/06/bus-stops-appear-route-to-disappear/

Ultimately whether it's a bus or a train service, I think the starting point of "this must make a profit" is not really compatible with the service that is public transport.

I thought North Camp may have had some previous aliases; according to Wikipedia:

1858 North Camp, Aldershot
1863 Aldershot Camp
1879 Aldershot (North Camp)
June 1910 Aldershot (North Camp) & South Farnborough
July 1923 Aldershot North
March 1924 North Camp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Camp_railway_station

Just to add I've been using the bus more as a result and agree with Bmblbzzz, it's nice to know the fare will be £2 and not some randomly high amount. I know some operators publish single fares on their websites, but at least this way you don't have to look it up or get a nasty surprise when the driver tells you. Also makes comparing singles with day/rover tickets a bit easier when weighing up what's best value.

It was nice to break the news to a regular Stagecoach user the other day that this had been extended to the end of June. He was delighted (uses it to get to work). I got an email from them about the extension well after I learnt about it on here.

Just shows what can be done. It would be good if the gov't could suspend/abolish the minimum fare on railcards to compete a bit with this promotion.

BRFares don't have restriction codes attached to the Euro High SVR fares, but I have seen restriction codes attached (same as the equivalent Off-Peak Return/SVR ticket to London) on some systems. I'm not aware if what plymouthian says about CIV^▸ (International Convention for the transportation of Passengers) tickets having no restrictions would override that or not.

As per the thread title, the North Downs Line will be closed between Reading & Guildford for signalling upgrades Monday 13th February to Friday 17th February inclusive:

Network Rail page:
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/wessex/feltham-and-wokingham-re-signalling-programme/

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Engineering Work summary:
https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/planned-engineering/2023/timetable-changes/week-46-timetable-changes-saturday-11-to-friday-17-february-2023-updated-on-110123.pdf?la=en

Will also affect SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) Reading to Bracknell.

I was literally just about to post at least GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) let them practise on 769s, not brand new 701s.

Ticket gates can already be set for railcard blocks etc. not sure what is added beyond that. I think the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) are doing the rounds with various TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) for these ticketless travel surveys.

Thread reminded me of something I saw on the local news recently; FirstBus to end all services in Southampton:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-63797546

Hopefully Bristol's outlook is brighter.

D = Discounted (Senior Railcard used in this case). A child ticket has C where the D is.

SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) drivers had a pay deal a while back, not sure how long is left on it.

Might be (even more of) a problem booking Rail Replacement Buses on routes where they weren't going to be provided.

It is irritating when providers don't use the most appropriate form of communication or allow you to specify what you want. My dentist insists on phoning the day before to remind you of an appointment the next day. Their online appointment system is pretty useless as well so getting an appointment usually involves a bit of inefficient toing and throwing on the phone.

I'm not a fan of Paper Roll Ticket (PRT), it's seems like a bit a throwback to the SPORTIS era, but without the perforations to separate your return ticket portions. It's quite an unsubtle way by the RDG^‡(resolve) to shove people to smart fulfilment methods, especially when 7 day seasons are issued on them.