Fares from 30th June 2024
All nBus ticket prices will increase by 6% from this date. For example a nBus daysaver increases from £4.50 to £4.80. This has been agreed by TfWM and the bus operators.
Please note the £2 fare cap is unaffected as that is subsidised by the government until (currently) October 2024.
Quote from: Rachvince53 on June 13, 2024, 11:16:14 AMFares from 30th June 2024
All nBus ticket prices will increase by 6% from this date. For example a nBus daysaver increases from £4.50 to £4.80. This has been agreed by TfWM and the bus operators.
Please note the £2 fare cap is unaffected as that is subsidised by the government until (currently) October 2024.
I thought the £2 cap lasted until Dec 2024
Quote from: Jay71 on June 13, 2024, 11:23:10 AMI thought the £2 cap lasted until Dec 2024
It does, and the NXWM web page states "end of this year".
https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/news/fare-and-ticket-changes-from-30th-june-2024
An ending of the cap will be noticed as I the uncapped single is going from £2.40 to £2.90, quite a percentage increase that.
Quote from: Rachvince53 on June 13, 2024, 11:16:14 AMFares from 30th June 2024
All nBus ticket prices will increase by 6% from this date. For example a nBus daysaver increases from £4.50 to £4.80. This has been agreed by TfWM and the bus operators.
Seems like a fair rise for a day ticket given the scope of where you can go. Looking forward to being in Coventry in September for the day and the surrounding areas.
The increase from £2 to £2.90 at the end of the year (if there's no there's no other plans in place) will not be pretty.
Quote from: Gareth on June 13, 2024, 12:31:33 PMThe increase from £2 to £2.90 at the end of the year (if there's no there's no other plans in place) will not be pretty.
But still cheaper than many other places. Oh and yes I'm sorry for my error with the current end date for the £2 fare.
Still fairly good value that you could travel from say Willenhall to Walsall or Bilston to Walsall say for £2.90 and a Daysaver NX being £4.50 or will it now be £4.80 is still good value. Baring in mind the NX Daysaver can get you from Birmingham to Lichfield or Lichfield to West Brom or Dudley
The previous comment about the NX Daysaver reminded that the ticket currently known as the NX Extra which is valid on NX buses outside the nBus zone will be known as the NX OUTER ZONES. This will be increased to £5 for a daysaver.
QuoteStill fairly good value that you could travel from say Willenhall to Walsall or Bilston to Walsall say for £2.90 and a Daysaver NX being £4.50 or will it now be £4.80 is still good value. Baring in mind the NX Daysaver can get you from Birmingham to Lichfield or Lichfield to West Brom or Dudley
Lichfield is classed as an outer zone which will be £5 so 20p more than the standard day saver which is still good value for money. Birmingham to Lichfield by train is £8.10
Quote from: Gareth on June 13, 2024, 12:31:33 PMThe increase from £2 to £2.90 at the end of the year (if there's no there's no other plans in place) will not be pretty.
May aswell go out with a bang and make as much money as possible if the mayor wants to confiscate their business off them in the next 18/24 months...
Quote from: metrocity on June 13, 2024, 02:20:51 PMMay aswell go out with a bang and make as much money as possible if the mayor wants to confiscate their business off them in the next 18/24 months...
Day ticket will still be cheaper than franchised Manchester
It looks like the new NX Outer Zones ticket will only be valid on NX buses - it won't be nBus plus all NX services. Is this correct?
Also, interesting to see the NX Coventry website says that from 1st September, passengers travelling to Rugby will need to get an "NX Outer Zones + Rugby" ticket, details of which will appear nearer that time. As the Rugby services aren't commercial I'm not surprised about that.
Quote from: Justin Tyme on June 13, 2024, 05:34:58 PMIt looks like the new NX Outer Zones ticket will only be valid on NX buses - it won't be nBus plus all NX services. Is this correct?
Also, interesting to see the NX Coventry website says that from 1st September, passengers travelling to Rugby will need to get an "NX Outer Zones + Rugby" ticket, details of which will appear nearer that time. As the Rugby services aren't commercial I'm not surprised about that.
Does this mean the 'loophole' that I previously queried, where the driver who issues a Nbus dayticket in the Wm County area allows travel into Staffs/Bromsgrove/Warks and back is now closed & the driver will have to look for the 'proper' ticket?
Quote from: Westy on June 13, 2024, 06:52:17 PMDoes this mean the 'loophole' that I previously queried, where the driver who issues a Nbus dayticket in the Wm County area allows travel into Staffs/Bromsgrove/Warks and back is now closed & the driver will have to look for the 'proper' ticket?
Well, I wouldn't call it a loophole, even though NX and TfWM website have not been clear about it, as thanks partly to a few people on here (including you?) it was established a while ago that nBus tickets are valid on all NX buses outside the TfWM area.
Anyway, it does looks like this will end, so we will have to ask drivers for an 'Outer Zones' £5 ticket if we want to travel into the shires. And it looks like it will only be valid on NX buses.
Quote from: BK63 YWP on June 13, 2024, 02:05:07 PMLichfield is classed as an outer zone which will be £5 so 20p more than the standard day saver which is still good value for money. Birmingham to Lichfield by train is £8.10
Yes but NX accept Daysavers in Lichfield as Tony and others have said
Quote from: Rachvince53 on June 13, 2024, 01:55:43 PMThe previous comment about the NX Daysaver reminded that the ticket currently known as the NX Extra which is valid on NX buses outside the nBus zone will be known as the NX OUTER ZONES. This will be increased to £5 for a daysaver.
And yet my normal WM Nbus Daysaver got me to Lichfield as the Driver said it was fine on the 34 to get there
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on June 13, 2024, 07:56:53 PMAnd yet my normal WM Nbus Daysaver got me to Lichfield as the Driver said it was fine on the 34 to get there
It does at the moment, but from 30th June only the NX Outer Zones ticket will be valid beyond the TfWM boundary.
Quote from: Justin Tyme on June 13, 2024, 08:10:24 PMIt does at the moment, but from 30th June only the NX Outer Zones ticket will be valid beyond the TfWM boundary.
Oh well I probably shouldn't have to travel that far anyway for a while If I do again
Guess there's no similar change to the Nbus Regional pass, so I can still get to Cannock & Lichfield?
Don't envy the Service 8 drivers having to explain to people that the £4.80 Daysaver they've just bought off another route into town, isn't valid to Lichfield!
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on June 13, 2024, 07:55:52 PMYes but NX accept Daysavers in Lichfield as Tony and others have said
Surely out of county passengers, buying the NX Extra tickets lose out anyway, as they can only catch NX buses once they are inside the WM county?
What is stopping a ticket being sold
outside the county, valid on NX buses only outside the county, but once you get inside the WM county, then having the validity of an NBus?
Quote from: Westy on June 13, 2024, 09:54:26 PMSurely out of county passengers, buying the NX Extra tickets lose out anyway, as they can only catch NX buses once they are inside the WM county?
What is stopping a ticket being sold outside the county, valid on NX buses only outside the county, but once you get inside the WM county, then having the validity of an NBus?
Yeah but I was saying I had a normal Nbus that once I crossed back into the West Midlands if Diamond had any services home I could have used it on there. But if the Nbus can do that why do you know a new ticket.
Quote from: Westy on June 13, 2024, 09:44:21 PMGuess there's no similar change to the Nbus Regional pass, so I can still get to Cannock & Lichfield?
Don't envy the Service 8 drivers having to explain to people that the £4.80 Daysaver they've just bought off another route into town, isn't valid to Lichfield!
Whereas the £4.50 ticket before was As I used it all the way from Darlo to Lichfield and was gonna use it back from Bentley but the kids had other ideas. And I could have used it on Diamond back in Walsall had I wanted
This is essentially just the nBus reverting back to it's original rules and a reinstatement of the NX Regional day/season tickets but this time named Outer Zone and for the first time it is priced higher than the nBus (and seemingly even more if travelling towards Rugby), so once again not simple for the average punter.
I will feel sorry for the NX drivers who will once again have to deal with the hassle and conflict with ticket boundaries which will arise on the day and going forward.
As a Coventry resident and nBus direct debit customer it's a double whammy losing inclusive travel to several Warwickshire towns, yes I could move to the Outer Zone ticket which will be a bit of a hassle when you're a DD customer, you just have to weigh up the pros and cons to your individual circumstances.
Quote from: JPC on June 13, 2024, 10:11:56 PMThis is essentially just the nBus reverting back to it's original rules and a reinstatement of the NX Regional day/season tickets but this time named Outer Zone and for the first time it is priced higher than the nBus (and seemingly even more if travelling towards Rugby), so once again not simple for the average punter.
I will feel sorry for the NX drivers who will once again have to deal with the hassle and conflict with ticket boundaries which will arise on the day and going forward.
As a Coventry resident and nBus direct debit customer it's a double whammy losing inclusive travel to several Warwickshire towns, yes I could move to the Outer Zone ticket which will be a bit of a hassle when you're a DD customer, you just have to weigh up the pros and cons to your individual circumstances.
Nx only have a token presence in certain non WM county towns.
If they operated a substantial network in those towns, like for example Cannock pre 1980, I could see the point of the Outer Zone, but if you're only operating one route in & out of the area, it just seems a bit of a faff at times.
Is your average punter whos just bought a Nbus in Darlo, going to realise they need another ticket to get to Lichfield?
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on June 13, 2024, 01:43:46 PMStill fairly good value that you could travel from say Willenhall to Walsall or Bilston to Walsall say for £2.90 and a Daysaver NX being £4.50 or will it now be £4.80 is still good value. Baring in mind the NX Daysaver can get you from Birmingham to Lichfield or Lichfield to West Brom or Dudley
Nbus is not valid to or from Lichfield
Quote from: PhageyMcPhage on June 14, 2024, 07:02:16 AMNbus is not valid to or from Lichfield
Well it was when I went the 34 Driver in Darlo said it was fine and I had no issues it was valid only on NX Services which were the buses I was using anyway. I walked to the Lichfield Football Ground from Lichfield anyway so I didnt use it in Lichfield apart from coming home.
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on June 13, 2024, 07:55:52 PMYes but NX accept Daysavers in Lichfield as Tony and others have said
This Outer Zone will replace the Daysaver in that area as Lichfield is outside the nBus area.
Had a quick chat with the TfWM chap in Walsall Bus Station, while I was killing time waiting for a Bloxwich bus.
Got the impression, he wasnt entirely up to speed, as he didnt appear to be aware of the Nx Extra tickets, but he had the prices apparantly.
He did say my Nbus 4 week pass was still valid to Lichfield & Cannock.
Quote from: PhageyMcPhage on June 14, 2024, 07:02:16 AMNbus is not valid to or from Lichfield
Er,yes it is. I used mine before the New Year holiday to go there from Walsall and then left on a Sutton bus.
Quote from: markcf83 on June 14, 2024, 11:23:05 PMEr,yes it is. I used mine before the New Year holiday to go there from Walsall and then left on a Sutton bus.
The nbus zone does not include Lichfield and never has. Lots of people probably are travelling out of area though and I can understand drivers not wanting the argument.
Quote from: PhageyMcPhage on June 15, 2024, 08:47:16 AMThe nbus zone does not include Lichfield and never has. Lots of people probably are travelling out of area though and I can understand drivers not wanting the argument.
National Express stated that they were accepting nBus tickets on all services, so yes it is valid to Lichfield on the two NX services that serve Lichfield
Quote from: Tony on June 15, 2024, 09:12:01 AMNational Express stated that they were accepting nBus tickets on all services, so yes it is valid to Lichfield on the two NX services that serve Lichfield
https://ticketsearch.tfwm.org.uk/#/ticket/63
https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/tickets-prices/single-trips-day-tickets
Where does it say valid to Lichfield?
- Unlimited travel on all bus operators within the nBus zone (https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/help-information/our-operating-area) and on all National Express buses
Adult travelcards and bus passes | NX Bus West Midlands (https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/tickets-prices/adult-bus-passes-travelcards)
Quote from: Tony on June 15, 2024, 10:10:57 AM- Unlimited travel on all bus operators within the nBus zone (https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/help-information/our-operating-area) and on all National Express buses
Adult travelcards and bus passes | NX Bus West Midlands (https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/tickets-prices/adult-bus-passes-travelcards)
What is Daysaver Extra for then?
Quote from: PhageyMcPhage on June 15, 2024, 10:20:05 AMWhat is Daysaver Extra for then?
Because NX are not allowed to SELL nBus outside the county, so that is the ticket sold when purchasing a day ticket outside the area
Quote from: Tony on June 15, 2024, 10:30:32 AMBecause NX are not allowed to SELL nBus outside the county, so that is the ticket sold when purchasing a day ticket outside the area
I'm probably missing something here.
An Nbus day ticket purchased within the WM County can be used on the NX services only outside the county, as well as all operators within the WM County, so that was the only ticket available.
The NX Daysaver Extra, (now the NX Extra!) can only be purchased outside the WM County from NX buses, but can only be valid on NX buses, even within the WM county, so someone coming in from Staffordshire into Birmingham for example, would have to hope that their next bus onwards is NX operated!
Why, if I've got this right, wouldn't an Extra ticket let you use other operators within the WM county area?
(At least my bus pass hasn't appeared to have changed, if what the TfWM bloke said is correct!)
Quote from: Westy on June 15, 2024, 12:57:13 PMI'm probably missing something here.
An Nbus day ticket purchased within the WM County can be used on the NX services only outside the county, as well as all operators within the WM County, so that was the only ticket available.
The NX Daysaver Extra, (now the NX Extra!) can only be purchased outside the WM County from NX buses, but can only be valid on NX buses, even within the WM county, so someone coming in from Staffordshire into Birmingham for example, would have to hope that their next bus onwards is NX operated!
Why, if I've got this right, wouldn't an Extra ticket let you use other operators within the WM county area?
(At least my bus pass hasn't appeared to have changed, if what the TfWM bloke said is correct!)
Not sure on the other operators bit, but for example if I had got on the Number 8 in Lichfield and lost my Daysaver or The journey was in reverse and I was travelling to Darlo I could only get the NX Ticket as I ay in the Nbus Area. I would imagine this being an NX only ticket means I probably could only travel on NX Buses.
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on June 15, 2024, 02:04:10 PMNot sure on the other operators bit, but for example if I had got on the Number 8 in Lichfield and lost my Daysaver or The journey was in reverse and I was travelling to Darlo I could only get the NX Ticket as I ay in the Nbus Area. I would imagine this being an NX only ticket means I probably could only travel on NX Buses.
Yes, so why are passengers starting their journey from outside the WM County on NX Buses, to travel into the WM County being penalised?
Even the 'new' Extra ticket, they are paying more for less validity.
The only way they could get round this, it appears, is to pay on the bus to the boundary, then pay for the Nbus ticket from there.
Look, I get the ticket is only valid outside the county on NX, but why give those passengers less for more, once they get inside the county?
TfWM aren't getting their cut of the fare outside of the boundary.
Because the other operators wouldn't get a cut of the revenue from the Daysaver extra ticket, so why should they let anyone with the ticket travel. With the NBus ticket all operators receive at least some of the revenue from the tickets where as the daysaver extra tickets all revenue goes to NX as its a NX product.
Quote from: Westy on June 15, 2024, 03:11:14 PMYes, so why are passengers starting their journey from outside the WM County on NX Buses, to travel into the WM County being penalised?
Even the 'new' Extra ticket, they are paying more for less validity.
The only way they could get round this, it appears, is to pay on the bus to the boundary, then pay for the Nbus ticket from there.
Look, I get the ticket is only valid outside the county on NX, but why give those passengers less for more, once they get inside the county?
The same principle applies to other operators such as Arriva and Stagecoach, where their services start/finish outside the nBus area.
You can travel from Stratford into Coventry or Solihull with a MegaRider, but then you can only use it on other Stagecoach services.
If the new NX Outer Zones ticket is only valid on NX bus services, then passengers travelling from outside the West Midlands are hardly being 'penalised', not while NX still operate the majority of bus services here.
Quote from: Westy on June 15, 2024, 03:11:14 PMwhy are passengers starting their journey from outside the WM County on NX Buses, to travel into the WM County being penalised?
Even the 'new' Extra ticket, they are paying more for less validity.
The only way they could get round this, it appears, is to pay on the bus to the boundary, then pay for the Nbus ticket from there.
Been thinking this through using a hypothetical example journey of Bromsgrove to Balsall Common (changing at Longbridge and Solihull using NX, NX & Stagecoach) and return.
Sole adult saves 20p by deffing off the Outer Zone day ticket and instead paying single first then a regular nbus day ticket to cover all other journeys, total cost £6.80.
As ever if 2 adults or family travelling together, substitute buying individual nbus tickets for the group ticket.
If group reached 4 adults or a family of 6 then it becomes worth buying an Outer Zone group initially, then an nbus group when boarding the Stagecoach bus.
As has been established, if this journey is being made in reverse (one way) then just a single individual or group regular nbus ticket is all that is required.
Somethig else though is I can't see the point of the Outer Zone weekly or monthly direct debit tickets when the regular weekly and monthly direct debit versions state
'Unlimited travel on all bus operators within the nbus zone and on all National Express buses'.The point of purchase (residence location) surely isn't relevant here and can't be proven anyway.
Quote from: Busmapper on June 23, 2024, 08:25:54 AMSomethig else though is I can't see the point of the Outer Zone weekly or monthly direct debit tickets when the regular weekly and monthly direct debit versions state 'Unlimited travel on all bus operators within the nbus zone and on all National Express buses'.
The point of purchase (residence location) surely isn't relevant here and can't be proven anyway.
But for this fare revision from next week all the nBus tickets will NO LONGER be valid on NX Buses outside the nBus zone, hence the introduction of the Outer zones ticket.
The NX ticket machines should be smart enough to continue to accept outside the zone 1/4/52 week nBus tickets which have started before 30th June up until they expire. Direct Debit tickets will most likely stop being accepted on the day or within a month.
Quote from: JPC on June 23, 2024, 12:11:09 PMBut for this fare revision from next week all the nBus tickets will NO LONGER be valid on NX Buses outside the nBus zone, hence the introduction of the Outer zones ticket.
The NX ticket machines should be smart enough to continue to accept outside the zone 1/4/52 week nBus tickets which have started before 30th June up until they expire. Direct Debit tickets will most likely stop being accepted on the day or within a month.
I'm curious to see what will happen with my DD pass, so I'm planning on trying both days next weekend as a comparison.
I recently contacted NX Bus as I started having issues having my monthly DD pass accepted on other operators' services.
Long and short of it, they issued a replacement card, then after I called them up as requested to, they simply 'added' the nBus monthly ticket onto my card.
https://wmbu.org.uk/2024/05/problems-using-your-nx-direct-debit-regional-travelcard-on-other-services/
So my 'new' NX Swift card has two products on it now:
(https://i0.wp.com/wmbu.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot_20240605_184318.jpg?resize=461%2C1024&ssl=1)
I'll just do a trip out to Cannock or Bromsgrove on both days, and see what happens when I use my pass for the return journey!
Quote from: Stu on June 23, 2024, 03:49:44 PMI'm curious to see what will happen with my DD pass, so I'm planning on trying both days next weekend as a comparison.
I recently contacted NX Bus as I started having issues having my monthly DD pass accepted on other operators' services.
Long and short of it, they issued a replacement card, then after I called them up as requested to, they simply 'added' the nBus monthly ticket onto my card.
https://wmbu.org.uk/2024/05/problems-using-your-nx-direct-debit-regional-travelcard-on-other-services/
So my 'new' NX Swift card has two products on it now:
(https://i0.wp.com/wmbu.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot_20240605_184318.jpg?resize=461%2C1024&ssl=1)
I'll just do a trip out to Cannock or Bromsgrove on both days, and see what happens when I use my pass for the return journey!
That image is similar, if not the same, as what my sister had, after she had to ring NX last year to update her pass, as she was worried about getting done for not having a valid pass for everyone else's services, bearing in mind where she works!
Quote from: JPC on June 23, 2024, 12:11:09 PMBut for this fare revision from next week all the nBus tickets will NO LONGER be valid on NX Buses outside the nBus zone, hence the introduction of the Outer zones ticket.
It does make sense that a regular weekly or monthly nbus ticket would be refused when boarding outside the nbus zone.
Quote from: Busmapper on June 23, 2024, 10:46:44 PMIt does make sense that a regular weekly or monthly nbus ticket would be refused when boarding outside the nbus zone.
Think the point is, if you're coming from the Nbus zone into outside the Nbus zone, eg going Walsall to Lichfield, then coming back from Lichfield to Walsall, outer zone to in the zone, but still using the Nbus ticket issued inside the zone, is the main issue here.
Refer to my comment on the other thread, but basically currently drivers can issue an Nbus, but tell passengers going outside the zone, it can only be used on Nx buses, so you can catch the 8 to Lichfield, but not the 36, as thats operated by Chaserider.
Incidently, anyone who's had an Nbus issued from anyone but Nx, have you tried using your ticket from the other operator on Nx outside the Nbus area?
Are eyebrows raised by the Nx driver?
Driving the pn 9 this morning woman asked mdd we for a daysaver extra she told me she needed it to go to Worcester on the diamond bus
I told her that that ticket was only valid on nx buses outside tfwm land and nx buses don't go to Worcester
Quote from: Stu on June 23, 2024, 03:49:44 PMI'm curious to see what will happen with my DD pass, so I'm planning on trying both days next weekend as a comparison.
I recently contacted NX Bus as I started having issues having my monthly DD pass accepted on other operators' services.
Long and short of it, they issued a replacement card, then after I called them up as requested to, they simply 'added' the nBus monthly ticket onto my card.
https://wmbu.org.uk/2024/05/problems-using-your-nx-direct-debit-regional-travelcard-on-other-services/
So my 'new' NX Swift card has two products on it now:
I'll just do a trip out to Cannock or Bromsgrove on both days, and see what happens when I use my pass for the return journey!
OK, so the first part of my 'experiment' is completed, I took a trip up to Lichfield on the X3 this afternoon, and my pass was validated correctly on the return journey. Which I predicted would be the case, I have after all previously travelled on NX Bus services outside the TfWM area with no problems using the same 'Regional Travelcard' product.
(I can also confirm that the nBus portion of my pass was validated correctly on Stagecoach's 169 service!)
Tomorrow, I'm planning on a jaunt to either Cannock or Bromsgrove. If I'm reading what has been written about the NX Outer Zones ticket correctly, I am expecting my pass to NOT be validated on the return journey any more. (In which case I will gladly buy a £2 single to get back)
Quote from: Stu on June 29, 2024, 08:09:24 PMTomorrow, I'm planning on a jaunt to either Cannock or Bromsgrove. If I'm reading what has been written about the NX Outer Zones ticket correctly, I am expecting my pass to NOT be validated on the return journey any more. (In which case I will gladly buy a £2 single to get back)
OK, so I decided to head to Bromsgrove on the 20 this afternoon. Pass was validated correctly on the return journey back.
Which the more I thought about it, I knew would be the case.
Screenshot 2024-06-30 at 16-38-16 Adult travelcards and bus passes NX Bus West Midlands.png
So my Direct Debit regional pass allows travel on all NX Bus services, as well as other operators' services within the nBus zone.
Surely then, if you live in Cannock, Bromsgrove, Lichfield etc, and regularly commute into the West Midlands (and back again) on NX Buses, you just buy a week/month pass direct from NX Bus and have it loaded on a Swift card. In which case there's no need to pay more for an Outer Zones pass, which limits you to use of NX Bus services only.
Screenshot 2024-06-30 at 16-45-00 Adult travelcards and bus passes NX Bus West Midlands.png
(unless the Outer Zones pass is also then valid on other operators' services within the nBus zone only)
I get that NX can't issue nBus tickets outside the nBus zone if bought onboard, so there would be a need to sell these Outer Zone day tickets outside the nBus area, pretty much the same as what Arriva, Diamond or Stagecoach would do.
I just can't see the need for the week/month Outer Zone tickets.
Quote from: Stu on June 30, 2024, 05:10:28 PMOK, so I decided to head to Bromsgrove on the 20 this afternoon. Pass was validated correctly on the return journey back.
Which the more I thought about it, I knew would be the case.
So my Direct Debit regional pass allows travel on all NX Bus services, as well as other operators' services within the nBus zone.
It could be a possibility your DD pass remains valid outside the nBus zone up until the 4th July, the day before your ticket 'renews' on the monthly anniversary of the start date as seen in your earlier screenshot.
Quote from: JPC on June 30, 2024, 05:51:15 PMIt could be a possibility your DD pass remains valid outside the nBus zone up until the 4th July, the day before your ticket 'renews' on the monthly anniversary of the start date as seen in your earlier screenshot.
That's possible, but then again my DD pass shows as valid until 'December 2034' so I doubt it.
But again, as it clearly states on the NX Bus website, it is valid on all operators' services within the nBus zone and on ALL NX Bus services, including those that go outside the nBus area.
Well, it turns out that the Uber version of the NXWM daysaver is... the Outer Zones version (as that's gone up to a fiver).
Quote from: Stu on June 30, 2024, 06:28:35 PMThat's possible, but then again my DD pass shows as valid until 'December 2034' so I doubt it.
But again, as it clearly states on the NX Bus website, it is valid on all operators' services within the nBus zone and on ALL NX Bus services, including those that go outside the nBus area.
End date is irrelevant, NX ticket machines should be smart enough to stop accepting DD nBus tickets outside the zone starting from the monthly anniversary of the start date on the smartcard.
The information for the nBus ticket (screenshot) requires update, the ticket changes page (https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/news/fare-and-ticket-changes-from-30th-june-2024) indicates the £59 DD is now valid within the nBus zone only.
Funny this question is never asked in the section 'Top questions our customers are asking us' , bearing in mind it's been discussed in the likes of this place?
I might have a wander to Cannock in a couple of weeks myself & see whats what, as I've still got this week at the old price & the pass itself to renew for next Monday.
OK, a further update since as a Direct Debit subscriber I had the below email from NX Bus yesterday:
Screenshot from 2024-07-03 19-29-53.png
Now what I wonder is where I stand, as my Swift card has both an nBus monthly ticket AND a NX Regional Travelcard loaded on it. :rolleyes:
I guess I should try travelling back from Bromsgrove, Cannock or Lichfield next month and see what happens! :laugh:
It would be interesting to learn what product was loaded on to the Swift card of any new NX direct debit subscribers since July last year.
The thing with the NX Outer Zone ticket is that I probably wouldn't mind paying the extra £2 a month that it costs, if it was also valid on other operators' services in the nBus area, as well as on NX Bus services that go outside it.
If thats the case, they'd better make sure there's no confusion, else there will be a few arguments when buying tickets in future.
Make sure there's notices on every bus for starters!
Can we now confirm certain scenarios now?
A few examples from me, holding an Nbus Regional Monthly pass.
Bloxwich to Cannock on the X51 - Pass not valid! Pay on the bus. (Nx Outer Zone ticket valid)
Bloxwich to Lichfield via Walsall - Nbus pass to Walsall, then either pay £2 or buy Outer Zone, or pay Outer Zone from Bloxwich, but you can only catch NX buses between Bloxwich & Walsall, not Diamond.
Bloxwich to Bromsgrove - Get an Outer Zone on the X51(No advantage using Nbus to the South Birmingham/West Midlands County boundary!) Cheaper than the train, but journey longer? You have to weigh up pros & cons on that one!
Bloxwich to Tamworth - Nbus to Sutton, then pay Arriva Sutton to Tamworth. (Last time I did Tamworth, with my sister, it was the period where Arriva were running Cannock to Walsall, Walsall to Lichfield, which then interworked with a Lichfield to Tamworth service using the same bus, so we were able to have an Arriva day ticket, all the way, but obviously that option is no longer available, so I suppose via Sutton is my cheapest option now?)
Am I correct with all these?
Quote from: Westy on July 22, 2024, 10:29:19 PMCan we now confirm certain scenarios now?
A few examples from me, holding an Nbus Regional Monthly pass.
Bloxwich to Cannock on the X51 - Pass not valid! Pay on the bus. (Nx Outer Zone ticket valid)
Bloxwich to Lichfield via Walsall - Nbus pass to Walsall, then either pay £2 or buy Outer Zone, or pay Outer Zone from Bloxwich, but you can only catch NX buses between Bloxwich & Walsall, not Diamond.
Bloxwich to Bromsgrove - Get an Outer Zone on the X51(No advantage using Nbus to the South Birmingham/West Midlands County boundary!) Cheaper than the train, but journey longer? You have to weigh up pros & cons on that one!
Bloxwich to Tamworth - Nbus to Sutton, then pay Arriva Sutton to Tamworth. (Last time I did Tamworth, with my sister, it was the period where Arriva were running Cannock to Walsall, Walsall to Lichfield, which then interworked with a Lichfield to Tamworth service using the same bus, so we were able to have an Arriva day ticket, all the way, but obviously that option is no longer available, so I suppose via Sutton is my cheapest option now?)
Am I correct with all these?
While there are still £2 fares, I reckon the cheapest option is to use those for the final bus - and to make life easier I would suggest paying the £2 at the start of that journey rather than "rebooking" at the boundary.
So, I would suggest:-
Bloxwich to Lichfield via Walsall - nBus to Walsall, then pay £2 on Chaserider 36/36A to Lichfield.
Bloxwich to Bromsgrove - nBus to Q E Hospital or Selly Oak/Northfield, then pay £2 on NXWM 20 to Bromsgrove.
Bloxwich to Tamworth - as you say: nBus to Sutton, then pay £2 on Arriva 110 to Tamworth. It would cost £4 each way (2 x £2) if you travelled via Lichfield.
Happy travelling if you do!
Quote from: Justin Tyme on July 23, 2024, 09:18:44 PMWhile there are still £2 fares, I reckon the cheapest option is to use those for the final bus - and to make life easier I would suggest paying the £2 at the start of that journey rather than "rebooking" at the boundary.
So, I would suggest:-
Bloxwich to Lichfield via Walsall - nBus to Walsall, then pay £2 on Chaserider 36/36A to Lichfield.
Bloxwich to Bromsgrove - nBus to Q E Hospital or Selly Oak/Northfield, then pay £2 on NXWM 20 to Bromsgrove.
Bloxwich to Tamworth - as you say: nBus to Sutton, then pay £2 on Arriva 110 to Tamworth. It would cost £4 each way (2 x £2) if you travelled via Lichfield.
Happy travelling if you do!
Must admit, I didn't consider paying the £2 on the final journey & it was so obvious!
So how are we getting on?
Any issues yet?
One thing Ive noticed, when I catch a X51 from Walsall to Bloxwich, in the absence of a 31 / 32, the driver has never asked how far Im going, in case Im going into Staffordshire!
Quote from: Justin Tyme on July 23, 2024, 09:18:44 PMWhile there are still £2 fares, I reckon the cheapest option is to use those for the final bus - and to make life easier I would suggest paying the £2 at the start of that journey rather than "rebooking" at the boundary.
So, I would suggest:-
Bloxwich to Lichfield via Walsall - nBus to Walsall, then pay £2 on Chaserider 36/36A to Lichfield.
Bloxwich to Bromsgrove - nBus to Q E Hospital or Selly Oak/Northfield, then pay £2 on NXWM 20 to Bromsgrove.
Bloxwich to Tamworth - as you say: nBus to Sutton, then pay £2 on Arriva 110 to Tamworth. It would cost £4 each way (2 x £2) if you travelled via Lichfield.
Happy travelling if you do!
Managed Tamworth, along with the Brownhills Canal Festival, today.
Something else I noticed on the Arriva buses I caught on the 110, a notice by the driver, or a sticker above the door, saying how far the Nbus was accepted on the route, in this case, Brum through to Bassetts Pole Island.
Couldn't Nx do something similar on their vehicles operating into the Shires?
Quote from: Westy on August 19, 2024, 12:23:01 PMSomething else I noticed on the Arriva buses I caught on the 110, a notice by the driver, or a sticker above the door, saying how far the Nbus was accepted on the route, in this case, Brum through to Bassetts Pole Island.
Couldn't Nx do something similar on their vehicles operating into the Shires?
That's not exactly a fair comparison though is it. Arriva have very few buses operating in the West Midlands so only a few 110 branded vehicles would likely have that information.
Whereas with NXWM, you'd have to have that displayed on pretty much every vehicle operated by garages with routes crossing county borders as so many different buses could potentially be used on those routes. That could be quite an additional cost for very little reward as most passengers are able to work the system out for themselves, it's not really that complicated.
Did NX change the child single age limit, it says now you can only buy a child ticket for 16-18 year olds if you have a photo card, I thought to have remembered that child singles were available up to 18. I know some companies like trentbarton count child tickets all the way up to 19 years old. Unless I'm hallucinating I think it's changed.
Quote from: Ingleboro261F on August 29, 2024, 12:15:14 PMDid NX change the child single age limit, it says now you can only buy a child ticket for 16-18 year olds if you have a photo card, I thought to have remembered that child singles were available up to 18. I know some companies like trentbarton count child tickets all the way up to 19 years old. Unless I'm hallucinating I think it's changed.
16-18 years old has always been with a TfWM issued photocard. they have NEVER been available to all 16-18 year olds
Quote from: Ingleboro261F on August 29, 2024, 12:15:14 PMDid NX change the child single age limit, it says now you can only buy a child ticket for 16-18 year olds if you have a photo card, I thought to have remembered that child singles were available up to 18. I know some companies like trentbarton count child tickets all the way up to 19 years old. Unless I'm hallucinating I think it's changed.
They should (imo) be able to get a child single until they turn 18. Bit of a silly rule when quite a few other operators allow it, but it is NX...
Quote from: Jack on August 29, 2024, 01:33:06 PMThey should (imo) be able to get a child single until they turn 18. Bit of a silly rule when quite a few other operators allow it, but it is NX...
No it is not NX. It is a Transport for West Midlands rule.
Transport for London insist on photocards from 11 years old
Quote from: Tony on August 29, 2024, 01:37:29 PMNo it is not NX. It is a Transport for West Midlands rule.
Well that doesn't surprise me either...
Quote from: Jack on August 29, 2024, 01:33:06 PMThey should (imo) be able to get a child single until they turn 18. Bit of a silly rule when quite a few other operators allow it, but it is NX...
Which are these 'quite a few' operators that allow anyone up to 18 anyway.
Stagecoach and First group don't, and Go-Ahead only do on certain services
Quote from: Tony on August 29, 2024, 12:43:34 PM16-18 years old has always been with a TfWM issued photocard. they have NEVER been available to all 16-18 year olds
it's just that drivers never ever checked for them, i thought it wasnt mandatory until i got hit with a fine for not having one, im over 18 now though so it doesnt matter to me anymore
Quote from: Ingleboro261F on August 29, 2024, 12:15:14 PMDid NX change the child single age limit, it says now you can only buy a child ticket for 16-18 year olds if you have a photo card, I thought to have remembered that child singles were available up to 18. I know some companies like trentbarton count child tickets all the way up to 19 years old. Unless I'm hallucinating I think it's changed.
No, it has always been the case as long as I can remember that child rate tickets are only for 5 to 15 year olds.
What I do recall is that the 16-18 photocard used to only be available to children who went on to college/further education, and this had to be applied for and provided through your school/college, at least mine was at the time.
Something did change a few years ago, and it did become available to 16-18s who enrolled on apprenticeship schemes with employers. Now it seems that any 16-18 year old can apply for a photocard from TfWM directly.
But there are conditions on when you can use a 16-18 photocard to buy child-rate tickets:
https://www.tfwm.org.uk/swift-and-tickets/discounts-and-free-travel-passes/swift-16-18-photocard/
Quote from: Tony on August 29, 2024, 02:22:06 PMWhich are these 'quite a few' operators that allow anyone up to 18 anyway.
Stagecoach and First group don't, and Go-Ahead only do on certain services
Chaserider do
Sorry if this has already been asked but is there a ticket you can do that covers nbus and the outer zones areas with NX or do I have to buy a separate ticket to travel anywhere outside the nbus zone?
Quote from: Ingleboro261F on September 02, 2024, 10:36:56 AMSorry if this has already been asked but is there a ticket you can do that covers nbus and the outer zones areas with NX or do I have to buy a separate ticket to travel anywhere outside the nbus zone?
You would need a NX Outer Zone (£5). This is valid on all NX buses both within and outside the nBus zone but NOT on any other operator.
Unfortunately there is no longer a ticket valid on any bus within the nBus area AND on NX buses in the Outer Zone.
Quote from: Rachvince53 on September 02, 2024, 11:29:43 AMYou would need a NX Outer Zone (£5). This is valid on all NX buses both within and outside the nBus zone but NOT on any other operator.
Unfortunately there is no longer a ticket valid on any bus within the nBus area AND on NX buses in the Outer Zone.
Thanks alot
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0l99xz719o
So if this is the case, will this impact on the plan to raise our single fare to £2.90, as I believe was the plan, at the end of the year?
(I suppose Tony will say no?)
Quote from: Westy on October 28, 2024, 12:44:10 PMhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0l99xz719o
So if this is the case, will this impact on the plan to raise our single fare to £2.90, as I believe was the plan, at the end of the year?
(I suppose Tony will say no?)
My Dad once figured out that a single was half the price of the daysaver this won't happen but I could see some operators doing this that rather increase to £3 they might just rise it to £2.50 if a Daysaver is £5
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on October 28, 2024, 12:48:22 PMMy Dad once figured out that a single was half the price of the daysaver this won't happen but I could see some operators doing this that rather increase to £3 they might just rise it to £2.50 if a Daysaver is £5
£2.90 is cheaper
Quote from: Westy on October 28, 2024, 12:44:10 PMhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0l99xz719o
So if this is the case, will this impact on the plan to raise our single fare to £2.90, as I believe was the plan, at the end of the year?
(I suppose Tony will say no?)
The single fare was already increased to £2.90 at the end of June this year.
https://wmbu.org.uk/2024/06/changes-to-nbus-ticket-prices-from-sunday-30th-june-2024/
But passengers only pay £2 because of the cap scheme.
Quote from: Stu on October 28, 2024, 07:15:46 PMThe single fare was already increased to £2.90 at the end of June this year.
https://wmbu.org.uk/2024/06/changes-to-nbus-ticket-prices-from-sunday-30th-june-2024/
But passengers only pay £2 because of the cap scheme.
I'd be interested to know if NX would keep the fare at £2.90, or put it up to £3, depending on whether there would be a general fares increase early next year or not?
£2.90/trip is still a lot cheaper than I paid on Stagecoach going Nuneaton to Bedworth in the early 2000s.
Quote from: Westy on October 28, 2024, 09:25:30 PMI'd be interested to know if NX would keep the fare at £2.90, or put it up to £3, depending on whether there would be a general fares increase early next year or not?
Put it up to £3.20. Free money in the short term! I wouldn't be surprised how many fare increases on paper happen between now and end December.
Quote from: Gareth on October 28, 2024, 10:19:11 PMPut it up to £3.20. Free money in the short term! I wouldn't be surprised how many fare increases on paper happen between now and end December.
Or a savvy private company may see that keeping the fare at £2 is the best longer term solution, especially with franchising on the cards.
Great press in the short term for the company in terms of cost of living and also makes it far harder to see advantages for franchising as it would be doubtful franchising could keep such a low fare without significant subsidies going forward.
You just know our current mayor would be dribbling from the mouth if fares went up as it would give him something else to beat NX with. I'd love to see NX stick two fingers up to him by doing something like this.
I have a feeling that NX & Diamond will try & charge £3. Why? They know that they can milk the public.Why(again). They know that people will moan & whinge about the increases. But they know that people will have no choice but to pay the new fares
Quote from: j789 on October 29, 2024, 08:38:04 AMOr a savvy private company may see that keeping the fare at £2 is the best longer term solution, especially with franchising on the cards.
By the time franchising comes in, that private company will have gone bust because they can't survive on £2 fares with no subsidy.
Quote from: Gareth on October 29, 2024, 09:42:13 AMBy the time franchising comes in, that private company will have gone bust because they can't survive on £2 fares with no subsidy.
There wouldn't necessarily be a huge amount of increased revenue charging £3 if it meant those passengers gained since Covid with the £2 left again.
Keep the £2 and increase passenger numbers by 10%+ over the next 2 years (as people see it as good value compared to using the car) to cover any shortfall or increase to £3 and lose 15/20% in that same time.
What's better - more captive passengers paying less for a bit (you can then steadily increase fares each year as done in the past and still keep passenger numbers up) or increase fares by 50% in one go and lose passengers pretty much forever.
I am sure the bean counters at NX, Diamond etc will see the £ signs of profit increasing fares to £3 but I hope there are people with longer term vision in these companies who can see the bigger picture by keeping fares lower.
The increase to £3 I think is to allow Labour Mayors to state two things look the Buses need more money to keep them running please give us money so we can Franchise them and two look Passengers are falling please us give us money to Franchise them and add pointless Bus Improvements/Reductions to save money even though it was fine at £2 and the buses were busy but we want it franchised
I wonder if the NBus will rise to £5. Will we see the return of short hop tickets? I definitely won't be paying nearly £3 for a five min journey
Quote from: Jay71 on October 29, 2024, 05:38:02 PMI wonder if the NBus will rise to £5. Will we see the return of short hop tickets? I definitely won't be paying nearly £3 for a five min journey
No chance of cheaper tickets being introduced. The whole point is £2 doesn't come anywhere near covering the cost of a journey.
Then the Government may possibly increase employers NI by 2%, so increasing wage costs, making even more routes unviable
In my opinion, the £2 fare cap should have been the catalyst to encourage more people to travel by bus, and more often.
'Tempt' people into 'trying' the bus with the 'cheap £2 fare', and then as they use buses more often, encourage them to take up weekly or monthly passes, which work out even better value for money.
People who use contactless cards to 'tap-and-go' have benefitted from daily and weekly fare caps of course, but I wonder how many people pay £2 cash on each bus they travel on, unaware that day/week/month tickets probably work out cheaper for them.
The fare cap wasn't supposed to last for this long after all.
It would be interesting to see data on how many £2 single fares have been issued in the last couple of years, and whether there has been any increase in the sales of weekly and monthly passes during the same period.
That's the only real way to see if this scheme has actually been a success or not.
There's still this 'perception' being floated about that "buses are expensive" which I don't believe is true.
Quote from: Stu on October 29, 2024, 07:42:26 PMIn my opinion, the £2 fare cap should have been the catalyst to encourage more people to travel by bus, and more often.
'Tempt' people into 'trying' the bus with the 'cheap £2 fare', and then as they use buses more often, encourage them to take up weekly or monthly passes, which work out even better value for money.
People who use contactless cards to 'tap-and-go' have benefitted from daily and weekly fare caps of course, but I wonder how many people pay £2 cash on each bus they travel on, unaware that day/week/month tickets probably work out cheaper for them.
The fare cap wasn't supposed to last for this long after all.
It would be interesting to see data on how many £2 single fares have been issued in the last couple of years, and whether there has been any increase in the sales of weekly and monthly passes during the same period.
That's the only real way to see if this scheme has actually been a success or not.
There's still this 'perception' being floated about that "buses are expensive" which I don't believe is true.
Agree fully with this, passengers have had 2 years of £2 single tickets, at the end of the day bus companies are businesses and need to make money, but of course come January when fares will rise, no doubt in the eyes of the passenger it will be us drivers fault
The mayors response was just sucking up to Andy Burnham and talking about his franchising scheme (which in 3 years).
Since TFWM control most of bus fares now, isn't there a way for them to subside £2 Single for nBus Zone? Will it be worth it/affordable?
A £2.90/£3.00 single is way overpriced for a city region
What he won't mention is that Manchester still has the same price cap and will do so you aren't controlling the fares Central government is. All it is doing is being exactly the same as Manchester. What the Mayor's should have done is encourage people to Try the bus if it is still not making money and they are having to keep using fares then take it over if NX as he seems to keep attacking them are mismanging money or running Double Deckers carrying 2 passengers, but they aren't doing this no Operator is. What no one has mentioned is before Covid Buses here were getting busier and services had actually been increased on some routes. Then Covid came along a lot of work was done from home, most people drove or caught cabs because they thought buses would be unhygienic. I remember seeing NX Double Deckers on the usually single Decker 34 and 37 because of the Social distancing.
The Last government also seemed to keep opening and then also closing things, when Colleges and Schools returned Buses became rammed and often said Bus Full meaning you would have wait, Driver shortages then came about due to illness, Stress, Better opportunities driving Trucks so NX struggled this combined with Buses being absolutely rammed probably put people off getting the bus as they still saw it as a covid hotspot and then the bus they were waiting for never turned up or was full. Things started to return to normal slowly, but then again what no one mentions is the fact the Trams were broken and on Strike What took the strain the bus, which due to being rammed was again missing stops, more cars on the road more traffic, loads of Roadworks, CityFibre, Metro Works, Cycle Schmes and other stuff also didn't help they seemed to pop up everywhere usually within days of each other especially after Covid this again caused issues.
Some of the reasons Buses are still Struggling is Covid, Potential Passengers finding better ways to get into Work and more people can work from home. If they need to go out they drive, Walk or get a cab. What the government and mayor's need to do is get the buses back to pre Covid levels, more promotion, end these Roadworks and stop meddling with Fares and expecting the companies and operators to want to comply to it or even in Some cases routes and timetables, there is a reason this service is running through here anymore no one used it, suddenly it's gone oh you've all come out now haven't you where were you before.
It almost seems no one trusts the Bus Companies to run the buses and they want to play a part in everything. The people running these companies know how much fuel costs, how much they are making, why this bus that was once every 5 minutes is now every 10 or so on they don't do it for a laugh. It almost seems they listen to frequent moaners of buses and are like right let's get Jane at number 16 a bus that stops outside her house eventhough in the last 2 years she has used the bus once, let's give Doreen that every 10 minute service eventhough she has a 6 minute service 20 meters at the other end of her road and can get another bus if she wanted. I think the thing all mayors and the Government need to do is support the bus companies with adverts and promotions, work with them not against them to try and improve service rather than just suggesting the bus should come down this road as it used to Six years ago. Six years ago there was demand now there isn't if there is offer it to another operator, when NX run said service don't then moan at being unreliable you made it unreliable by suggesting or basically telling them to reroute it.
Relax. The world isn't ending.
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on October 30, 2024, 02:58:24 PMWhat he won't mention is that Manchester still has the same price cap and will do so you aren't controlling the fares Central government is. All it is doing is being exactly the same as Manchester. What the Mayor's should have done is encourage people to Try the bus if it is still not making money and they are having to keep using fares then take it over if NX as he seems to keep attacking them are mismanging money or running Double Deckers carrying 2 passengers, but they aren't doing this no Operator is. What no one has mentioned is before Covid Buses here were getting busier and services had actually been increased on some routes. Then Covid came along a lot of work was done from home, most people drove or caught cabs because they thought buses would be unhygienic. I remember seeing NX Double Deckers on the usually single Decker 34 and 37 because of the Social distancing.
The Last government also seemed to keep opening and then also closing things, when Colleges and Schools returned Buses became rammed and often said Bus Full meaning you would have wait, Driver shortages then came about due to illness, Stress, Better opportunities driving Trucks so NX struggled this combined with Buses being absolutely rammed probably put people off getting the bus as they still saw it as a covid hotspot and then the bus they were waiting for never turned up or was full. Things started to return to normal slowly, but then again what no one mentions is the fact the Trams were broken and on Strike What took the strain the bus, which due to being rammed was again missing stops, more cars on the road more traffic, loads of Roadworks, CityFibre, Metro Works, Cycle Schmes and other stuff also didn't help they seemed to pop up everywhere usually within days of each other especially after Covid this again caused issues.
Some of the reasons Buses are still Struggling is Covid, Potential Passengers finding better ways to get into Work and more people can work from home. If they need to go out they drive, Walk or get a cab. What the government and mayor's need to do is get the buses back to pre Covid levels, more promotion, end these Roadworks and stop meddling with Fares and expecting the companies and operators to want to comply to it or even in Some cases routes and timetables, there is a reason this service is running through here anymore no one used it, suddenly it's gone oh you've all come out now haven't you where were you before.
It almost seems no one trusts the Bus Companies to run the buses and they want to play a part in everything. The people running these companies know how much fuel costs, how much they are making, why this bus that was once every 5 minutes is now every 10 or so on they don't do it for a laugh. It almost seems they listen to frequent moaners of buses and are like right let's get Jane at number 16 a bus that stops outside her house eventhough in the last 2 years she has used the bus once, let's give Doreen that every 10 minute service eventhough she has a 6 minute service 20 meters at the other end of her road and can get another bus if she wanted. I think the thing all mayors and the Government need to do is support the bus companies with adverts and promotions, work with them not against them to try and improve service rather than just suggesting the bus should come down this road as it used to Six years ago. Six years ago there was demand now there isn't if there is offer it to another operator, when NX run said service don't then moan at being unreliable you made it unreliable by suggesting or basically telling them to reroute it.
TL:DR
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on October 30, 2024, 02:58:24 PMWhat he won't mention is that Manchester still has the same price cap and will do so you aren't controlling the fares Central government is. All it is doing is being exactly the same as Manchester. What the Mayor's should have done is encourage people to Try the bus if it is still not making money and they are having to keep using fares then take it over if NX as he seems to keep attacking them are mismanging money or running Double Deckers carrying 2 passengers, but they aren't doing this no Operator is. What no one has mentioned is before Covid Buses here were getting busier and services had actually been increased on some routes. Then Covid came along a lot of work was done from home, most people drove or caught cabs because they thought buses would be unhygienic. I remember seeing NX Double Deckers on the usually single Decker 34 and 37 because of the Social distancing.
The Last government also seemed to keep opening and then also closing things, when Colleges and Schools returned Buses became rammed and often said Bus Full meaning you would have wait, Driver shortages then came about due to illness, Stress, Better opportunities driving Trucks so NX struggled this combined with Buses being absolutely rammed probably put people off getting the bus as they still saw it as a covid hotspot and then the bus they were waiting for never turned up or was full. Things started to return to normal slowly, but then again what no one mentions is the fact the Trams were broken and on Strike What took the strain the bus, which due to being rammed was again missing stops, more cars on the road more traffic, loads of Roadworks, CityFibre, Metro Works, Cycle Schmes and other stuff also didn't help they seemed to pop up everywhere usually within days of each other especially after Covid this again caused issues.
Some of the reasons Buses are still Struggling is Covid, Potential Passengers finding better ways to get into Work and more people can work from home. If they need to go out they drive, Walk or get a cab. What the government and mayor's need to do is get the buses back to pre Covid levels, more promotion, end these Roadworks and stop meddling with Fares and expecting the companies and operators to want to comply to it or even in Some cases routes and timetables, there is a reason this service is running through here anymore no one used it, suddenly it's gone oh you've all come out now haven't you where were you before.
It almost seems no one trusts the Bus Companies to run the buses and they want to play a part in everything. The people running these companies know how much fuel costs, how much they are making, why this bus that was once every 5 minutes is now every 10 or so on they don't do it for a laugh. It almost seems they listen to frequent moaners of buses and are like right let's get Jane at number 16 a bus that stops outside her house eventhough in the last 2 years she has used the bus once, let's give Doreen that every 10 minute service eventhough she has a 6 minute service 20 meters at the other end of her road and can get another bus if she wanted. I think the thing all mayors and the Government need to do is support the bus companies with adverts and promotions, work with them not against them to try and improve service rather than just suggesting the bus should come down this road as it used to Six years ago. Six years ago there was demand now there isn't if there is offer it to another operator, when NX run said service don't then moan at being unreliable you made it unreliable by suggesting or basically telling them to reroute it.
Why do you always post an essay on nearly all your posts out of curiosity?
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on October 30, 2024, 02:58:24 PMWhat he won't mention is that Manchester still has the same price cap and will do so you aren't controlling the fares Central government is. All it is doing is being exactly the same as Manchester. What the Mayor's should have done is encourage people to Try the bus if it is still not making money and they are having to keep using fares then take it over if NX as he seems to keep attacking them are mismanging money or running Double Deckers carrying 2 passengers, but they aren't doing this no Operator is. What no one has mentioned is before Covid Buses here were getting busier and services had actually been increased on some routes. Then Covid came along a lot of work was done from home, most people drove or caught cabs because they thought buses would be unhygienic. I remember seeing NX Double Deckers on the usually single Decker 34 and 37 because of the Social distancing.
The Last government also seemed to keep opening and then also closing things, when Colleges and Schools returned Buses became rammed and often said Bus Full meaning you would have wait, Driver shortages then came about due to illness, Stress, Better opportunities driving Trucks so NX struggled this combined with Buses being absolutely rammed probably put people off getting the bus as they still saw it as a covid hotspot and then the bus they were waiting for never turned up or was full. Things started to return to normal slowly, but then again what no one mentions is the fact the Trams were broken and on Strike What took the strain the bus, which due to being rammed was again missing stops, more cars on the road more traffic, loads of Roadworks, CityFibre, Metro Works, Cycle Schmes and other stuff also didn't help they seemed to pop up everywhere usually within days of each other especially after Covid this again caused issues.
Some of the reasons Buses are still Struggling is Covid, Potential Passengers finding better ways to get into Work and more people can work from home. If they need to go out they drive, Walk or get a cab. What the government and mayor's need to do is get the buses back to pre Covid levels, more promotion, end these Roadworks and stop meddling with Fares and expecting the companies and operators to want to comply to it or even in Some cases routes and timetables, there is a reason this service is running through here anymore no one used it, suddenly it's gone oh you've all come out now haven't you where were you before.
It almost seems no one trusts the Bus Companies to run the buses and they want to play a part in everything. The people running these companies know how much fuel costs, how much they are making, why this bus that was once every 5 minutes is now every 10 or so on they don't do it for a laugh. It almost seems they listen to frequent moaners of buses and are like right let's get Jane at number 16 a bus that stops outside her house eventhough in the last 2 years she has used the bus once, let's give Doreen that every 10 minute service eventhough she has a 6 minute service 20 meters at the other end of her road and can get another bus if she wanted. I think the thing all mayors and the Government need to do is support the bus companies with adverts and promotions, work with them not against them to try and improve service rather than just suggesting the bus should come down this road as it used to Six years ago. Six years ago there was demand now there isn't if there is offer it to another operator, when NX run said service don't then moan at being unreliable you made it unreliable by suggesting or basically telling them to reroute it.
(https://preview.redd.it/i-aint-reading-all-that-im-happy-for-you-tho-or-sorry-that-v0-36n75ab7lc7a1.png?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=4195090fb53bccd46c8ed713f236db9a31453f4e)
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on October 30, 2024, 02:58:24 PMWhat he won't mention is that Manchester still has the same price cap and will do so you aren't controlling the fares Central government is. All it is doing is being exactly the same as Manchester. What the Mayor's should have done is encourage people to Try the bus if it is still not making money and they are having to keep using fares then take it over if NX as he seems to keep attacking them are mismanging money or running Double Deckers carrying 2 passengers, but they aren't doing this no Operator is. What no one has mentioned is before Covid Buses here were getting busier and services had actually been increased on some routes. Then Covid came along a lot of work was done from home, most people drove or caught cabs because they thought buses would be unhygienic. I remember seeing NX Double Deckers on the usually single Decker 34 and 37 because of the Social distancing.
The Last government also seemed to keep opening and then also closing things, when Colleges and Schools returned Buses became rammed and often said Bus Full meaning you would have wait, Driver shortages then came about due to illness, Stress, Better opportunities driving Trucks so NX struggled this combined with Buses being absolutely rammed probably put people off getting the bus as they still saw it as a covid hotspot and then the bus they were waiting for never turned up or was full. Things started to return to normal slowly, but then again what no one mentions is the fact the Trams were broken and on Strike What took the strain the bus, which due to being rammed was again missing stops, more cars on the road more traffic, loads of Roadworks, CityFibre, Metro Works, Cycle Schmes and other stuff also didn't help they seemed to pop up everywhere usually within days of each other especially after Covid this again caused issues.
Some of the reasons Buses are still Struggling is Covid, Potential Passengers finding better ways to get into Work and more people can work from home. If they need to go out they drive, Walk or get a cab. What the government and mayor's need to do is get the buses back to pre Covid levels, more promotion, end these Roadworks and stop meddling with Fares and expecting the companies and operators to want to comply to it or even in Some cases routes and timetables, there is a reason this service is running through here anymore no one used it, suddenly it's gone oh you've all come out now haven't you where were you before.
It almost seems no one trusts the Bus Companies to run the buses and they want to play a part in everything. The people running these companies know how much fuel costs, how much they are making, why this bus that was once every 5 minutes is now every 10 or so on they don't do it for a laugh. It almost seems they listen to frequent moaners of buses and are like right let's get Jane at number 16 a bus that stops outside her house eventhough in the last 2 years she has used the bus once, let's give Doreen that every 10 minute service eventhough she has a 6 minute service 20 meters at the other end of her road and can get another bus if she wanted. I think the thing all mayors and the Government need to do is support the bus companies with adverts and promotions, work with them not against them to try and improve service rather than just suggesting the bus should come down this road as it used to Six years ago. Six years ago there was demand now there isn't if there is offer it to another operator, when NX run said service don't then moan at being unreliable you made it unreliable by suggesting or basically telling them to reroute it
Sorry, I didn't realise I was in a politics lesson.
Quote from: LD713821 on October 29, 2024, 09:17:11 PMSince TFWM control most of bus fares now, isn't there a way for them to subside £2 Single for nBus Zone? Will it be worth it/affordable?
A £2.90/£3.00 single is way overpriced for a city region
Yes, they could quite easily. They just need millions of pounds of money from somewhere, then they can pay bus operators to run their services at a loss. :rolleyes:
Quote from: uniquicity on October 30, 2024, 03:50:44 PMRelax. The world isn't ending.
Quote from: Steve3229vp on October 30, 2024, 03:56:25 PMTL:DR
Quote from: Jack on October 30, 2024, 04:39:06 PMWhy do you always post an essay on nearly all your posts out of curiosity?
Quote from: LD713821 on October 31, 2024, 04:20:05 PM(https://preview.redd.it/i-aint-reading-all-that-im-happy-for-you-tho-or-sorry-that-v0-36n75ab7lc7a1.png?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=4195090fb53bccd46c8ed713f236db9a31453f4e)
Quote from: Ingleboro261F on October 31, 2024, 06:54:11 PMSorry, I didn't realise I was in a politics lesson.
It disappoints me that so many members here respond to a lengthy detailed post in this manner, rather than reading what that person has written and responding to any points made within it.
You should be ashamed of yourselves. This is a discussion forum, not TikTok.
Quote from: Stu on October 31, 2024, 07:46:29 PMIt disappoints me that so many members here respond to a lengthy detailed post in this manner, rather than reading what that person has written and responding to any points made within it.
You should be ashamed of yourselves. This is a discussion forum, not TikTok.
thus is the result of adhd promotive apps like tiktok and reels
Something I noticed, when checking how much left on my 'back up' Swift PAYGO card, using the Swift Collector app.
They cease to be valid in October 2025!
Don't know about anyone else, but I acquired mine, when about 10 years ago, TfWM were giving them away like sweeties at various locations across the area.
They kept that quiet, didn't they?
I've still got credit on it as well, but presumbly they were expecting people to have some other method of payment/pass showing by now, but for the people who still use theirs, they're gonna have a shock in October surely, unless there's a plan?
Can you purchase an NX Outer Zones ticket on non NX buses on 'partnership' routes, eg, if my brother wants to go from Bloxwich to Lichfield, can he purchase the Outer Zone ticket on a Diamond 31/32, or has he got to wait for an NX vehicle?
(That would be the cheaper option now wouldn't it?)
Diamond wouldn't offer an NX product to sell.
Quote from: Westy on January 03, 2025, 09:08:40 PMCan you purchase an NX Outer Zones ticket on non NX buses on 'partnership' routes, eg, if my brother wants to go from Bloxwich to Lichfield, can he purchase the Outer Zone ticket on a Diamond 31/32, or has he got to wait for an NX vehicle?
(That would be the cheaper option now wouldn't it?)
NX Outer Zone tickets (which cost £5) are only sold on NX buses.
Yes it is cheaper and actually was before the fare cap was raised.