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Author Topic: MetroBus  (Read 236539 times)
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #135 on: September 27, 2017, 20:26:47 »

So, looking at some of the rather convoluted routes illustrated in that map, is that mileage determined 'as the crow flies', or by distance actually travelled along the route?

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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
simonw
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« Reply #136 on: September 27, 2017, 20:33:22 »

Surely they could create a mobile found app to cost £4 for all day bus travel that covers these buses, link it to Apple or Android pay and only take a max of £4 per day, even if the app is used 5 times a day.

Failing that that, a pre-pay day card.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #137 on: September 27, 2017, 20:33:52 »

And how, when buying a ticket, are you supposed to know whether your journey will be 2.9 miles or 3.1? Even supposing the route v crow flies question is made clear to the public.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #138 on: September 27, 2017, 20:36:52 »

That was rather the point I was trying to make.  Wink

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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
simonw
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« Reply #139 on: September 27, 2017, 22:25:04 »

Forget the idea of buying individual tickets.

The choice offered should be a single ticket to cover all local bus journeys on a given day, say 0400->0359, or chip and pin scan on/off buses up to the max of the day charge. TfL» (Transport for London - about) has the technology, given them a call and it could be deployed fast.

Loads of organisations now off 'free' pre-paid debit cards, for example Monzo, so there is no reason this cannot be done fast, and forget the Ticket points at bus stops.

In this day and age there are loads of solutions, phone apps, pre-paid day tickets and debit card scan on/off.

Choosing a static Ticket Point at bus stop, open to weather and abuse, with complicated ticket rules and queues to use when the bus arrives is just a bad idea.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #140 on: September 27, 2017, 22:40:38 »

That'll be why they chose it for MetroBus, then.  Roll Eyes

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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #141 on: September 28, 2017, 09:37:45 »

It should be quite easy to give distances between stops on a display at the ticket machines, as is done in some places where tickets are determined by distance or time. Just a list of stops from that ticket point, or rather three lists, up to 3 miles, up to 6 miles, over 6. Or a diagrammatic line with the relevant distances marked, a bit like in a tube train.

Are passengers going to be expected to present their tickets to the driver on boarding? Dwell times...
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simonw
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« Reply #142 on: September 28, 2017, 11:39:40 »

Another issue with Travel Points, if 10+ arrive a minute before the bus does, thanks the Bus app telling them the due time, if the bus driver supposed to wait the extra minutes for several people to enter ther route details use bank card, typing in pass key 2 times, and waiting for card validation, etc.

I cannot help but conclude that the planners for Metrobus do not use Public Transport.

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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #143 on: September 28, 2017, 12:14:27 »

That doesn't tend to happen in other places (that I've been) using ticket machines. You buy whenever is convenient for you and validate your ticket on boarding.
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Noggin
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« Reply #144 on: September 28, 2017, 15:41:25 »

That doesn't tend to happen in other places (that I've been) using ticket machines. You buy whenever is convenient for you and validate your ticket on boarding.

Supposed to be like a tram on tyres innit?
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TonyK
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« Reply #145 on: September 28, 2017, 16:40:59 »

Supposed to be like a tram on tyres innit?

The only thing we can say with any confidence is that MetroBust, if and when it finally arrives, will look nothing like the pictures in the original propaganda leaflets to support the "consultation". ("This is what we are doing. Please say why you agree with it.") There will never be a "bendybus" with the wheels cleverly covered so that everybody thinks it's a tram standing outside the Arnolfini. We are getting a couple of new roads, some bus lanes, and some new gas powered buses like the 110 other buses that First are ordering for general use throughout the city. It will not be a "tram-like experience on state-of-the-art vehicles using mainly segregated routes" but a bus-like bus, diesel for 2 years, on a road-like road in the main.

First have said they will order 30 (not sure if that is 30 more or 30 of the 110) to run on the MetroBust routes. They have undertaken to operate only the Ashton Vale to (somewhere near) Temple Meads (AVTM) so far. That has a total of 19 stops including the one-directional City Centre loop, and a total round trip journey time from Long Ashton Park and Ride to Long Ashton Park and Ride of around 45 minutes, according to the flawed studies. That gives a headway of 90 seconds, or a bus at every bus stop, with 11 stops having two buses. You would probably need 120 drivers, plus support, to provide such a service. First were envisaging 3 buses per hour to begin with, which certainly won't need 30 buses. Are they, by any chance, expecting to bag at least one of the other two routes, but haven't told us yet?

So, looking at some of the rather convoluted routes illustrated in that map, is that mileage determined 'as the crow flies', or by distance actually travelled along the route?

The routes are convoluted in order to pass close to as many "disadvantaged" people as possible, be they elderly, infirm, unemployed, or just plain old down on their luck. That helped to inflate the benefit-cost ratio (BCR (Benefit Cost Ratio)) as calculated by Webtag to just above the magic number 2, with a bit of creative arithmetic. MetroBust is a box-ticking exercise, remember, not a serious public transport option. What CfN asks may be an unintended consequence of this. From the Patchway stop at the end of Highwood Road to Bristol Parkway is comfortably under three miles by the direct route. But go via Aztec West, using the MetroBust route, and it is almost 3½ miles. If the "crow flies" standard is adopted, it would be cheaper to go further. 

Similarly, the distance from the Long Ashton Park and Ride to Anchor Road (the most popular destination) is 2.5 miles - but not via MetroBust, which will go via somewhere near Temple Meads and Cabot Circus first. That will cost £5.00 return, as opposed to the current £3.00. You couldn't really do it "crow flies" because Cabot Circus is over 3 miles, especially with the BCR-enhancing dog-leg through Ashton Vale and over the new theme-park ride bridge. Anyone going to Cabot Circus could buy a ticket for Anchor Road, and get off early. Worse still, two children under 16 currently go free of charge with an adult paying a fare from Long Ashton Park and Ride. There is no mention of such a concession from MetroBust. All of which makes me think that the existing 903 bus service will be sacrificed to the gods of MetroBust, whether we like it or not.

You might almost think that someone hasn't thought all this through properly.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2017, 17:29:50 by Four Track, Now! » Logged

Now, please!
Red Squirrel
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« Reply #146 on: September 28, 2017, 17:39:00 »


We are getting a couple of new roads, some bus lanes...


...and Bristol's answer to Reading Flyover

 
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Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
TonyK
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« Reply #147 on: September 28, 2017, 18:48:23 »


The rather monstrous entity that I described as the "theme park ride bridge". That will be fun in bad weather, especially on the top deck of the two-doored double-deck buses (if they fit on Ashton Avenue bridge).
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Now, please!
WelshBluebird
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« Reply #148 on: September 28, 2017, 23:36:58 »

And how, when buying a ticket, are you supposed to know whether your journey will be 2.9 miles or 3.1? Even supposing the route v crow flies question is made clear to the public.

To be fair, that isn't a new issue at all surely? As the existing First bus fares are similarly distance based.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #149 on: September 29, 2017, 10:10:36 »

The new issue is having to know beforehand. With current buses, you can ask the driver for a ticket to wherever and be told the price. Could easily be solved with a simple list of destinations (long list mind) but what will actually happen, we don't yet know.
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