Recent posts

#1

Garage threads / Re: West Bromwich Garage

Last post by JahiemOnABus - Today at 09:32:46 PM

so today I took 4769 a vehicle that's been off the road for agesss. last time I took it, something felt really off with the gearbox as it use to slip through gears and was totally sluggish! Today it finally hit the roads again and its improved especially with performance I was wondering if this bus received a new or a rebuilt gearbox? just a question as nothing has been mentioned about it. 

#2

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Fare Dodgers

Last post by Mega Kickdown - Today at 09:00:51 PM

They don't though, if you actually look at your bank statements.

I shop at plenty of local stores using my debit card, and I often find that the money doesn't actually leave my account until the following day. At the point of purchase, the card processor is looking for 'authorisation' for that transaction, based on the available funds in the account being used to make the payment at that time.

With NX it's slightly different, the system seeks 'authorisation' but the transaction doesn't get completed straight away, due to the 'capping' structure.


If someone's finances are that bad and they can't be sure they'll have at least £4.80 in their bank account at the end of the day, then perhaps they should stick to using cash to pay for their bus fares. Or perhaps consider getting a Swift Pay-As-You-Go or Swift Go card that they can load credit onto.

ye but they reserve the money instantly or within a reasonable time so you cant accidentaly spend it, nx reserves the money the next day. as you said the entire issue can be rectified by using cash

#3

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Fare Dodgers

Last post by Tony - Today at 08:37:20 PM

While I'm not 100% certain, I do believe that is the case, yes. It's a 'fixed' value transaction, same as if you used your card in a local supermarket or elsewhere.

I do actually see quite a few people who do this, and it seems a fairly sensible choice for many passengers.

I personally pay for my bus travel via direct debit monthly in advance, so for me its just a case of tapping my Swift card each time.

The 'asking for a ticket' can work out quite a bit more expensive, depending on how many days you travel due to the weekly capping.

#4

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Fare Dodgers

Last post by Stu - Today at 08:29:17 PM

If someone is purchasing an N bus day ticket then would it not be worth them purchasing it by card and getting a paper copy (I.e ask the driver for a day ticket before holding your card over the reader). Am I correct in thinking that this would transfer funds to your pending same as purchasing a product in tesco for example (personally don't need to buy an N bus as I have my staff pass but curious).

While I'm not 100% certain, I do believe that is the case, yes. It's a 'fixed' value transaction, same as if you used your card in a local supermarket or elsewhere.

I do actually see quite a few people who do this, and it seems a fairly sensible choice for many passengers.

I personally pay for my bus travel via direct debit monthly in advance, so for me its just a case of tapping my Swift card each time.

#5

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Fare Dodgers

Last post by Lukeee - Today at 08:03:28 PM

They don't though, if you actually look at your bank statements.

I shop at plenty of local stores using my debit card, and I often find that the money doesn't actually leave my account until the following day. At the point of purchase, the card processor is looking for 'authorisation' for that transaction, based on the available funds in the account being used to make the payment at that time.

With NX it's slightly different, the system seeks 'authorisation' but the transaction doesn't get completed straight away, due to the 'capping' structure.


If someone's finances are that bad and they can't be sure they'll have at least £4.80 in their bank account at the end of the day, then perhaps they should stick to using cash to pay for their bus fares. Or perhaps consider getting a Swift Pay-As-You-Go or Swift Go card that they can load credit onto.

If someone is purchasing an N bus day ticket then would it not be worth them purchasing it by card and getting a paper copy (I.e ask the driver for a day ticket before holding your card over the reader). Am I correct in thinking that this would transfer funds to your pending same as purchasing a product in tesco for example (personally don't need to buy an N bus as I have my staff pass but curious).

#6

Garage threads / Re: Yardley Wood Garage

Last post by Ronnoc - Today at 07:54:48 PM

4586 had a very good run for a non-euro 6 bus, and it was one of the final buses in that dark blue TWM moquette too (one of the 459x is the last I believe). At the time that these Tridents were retrofitted, you'd have thought that they would outlast their euro 3 peers.

[but Tesco, Asda or anyone else take the amount straight away]

#7

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Fare Dodgers

Last post by Stu - Today at 07:49:53 PM

But going back to the example you may money and have enough to get a ticket, if the money was taken straight away or within 2 buses where it is clear you are getting a daysaver then you would know that £4.80 was taken then would be no risk of running out of money, many passengers wouldn't know NX don't take the money so hence I get your point, but Tesco, Asda or anyone else take the amount straight away so if you have to do £20 worth of shopping that £20 leaves your account.

They don't though, if you actually look at your bank statements.

I shop at plenty of local stores using my debit card, and I often find that the money doesn't actually leave my account until the following day. At the point of purchase, the card processor is looking for 'authorisation' for that transaction, based on the available funds in the account being used to make the payment at that time.

With NX it's slightly different, the system seeks 'authorisation' but the transaction doesn't get completed straight away, due to the 'capping' structure.


If someone's finances are that bad and they can't be sure they'll have at least £4.80 in their bank account at the end of the day, then perhaps they should stick to using cash to pay for their bus fares. Or perhaps consider getting a Swift Pay-As-You-Go or Swift Go card that they can load credit onto.

#8

Rotala / Re: Rotala Management - Questi...

Last post by Simon Dunn - Today at 07:28:18 PM

Hi Simon just something that occurred to me. Will we see next stop announcements on the Kidderminster services soon including 15a/c?

I think some vehicles at the depot should be already compliant like 21234, 32260 & 32312/13/14 & others like 20164 should be compliant by October?

Also what about sections that seem to be treated like hail & ride sections like silverwoods way, will that be announced to.

I noticed today on 21234 the route number doesn't fit the display properly as well.

Our Next stop isn't working like we would like it to at present.  

At present the drivers select the trip in the destination blind - and it scrolls as the bus moves through service.  We are hopeful within a few weeks, the Nextstop will be a direct feed from the Ticket Machine/ and Ticket machine stops.  This will help us deal with changes and programming better.

So - to answer your question, the nextstop will only announce what is the the stop in our timetables.   We have the equipment installed to do all this, we are reliant upon Ticketer to resolve programming issues.


Simon

#9

National Express West Midlands / Re: Withdrawn Vehicles

Last post by LiamsTransport1 - Today at 07:05:33 PM

9 now - YW has gone from trident stronghold to having single digit numbers in less than 2 months.

I had 4623 earlier, probably my last one out of YW now. They served well but they had there day now. 

#10

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Fare Dodgers

Last post by BlackCountryBusSpotter - Today at 06:49:00 PM

At the end of the day, it is the passengers' responsibility to ensure they have enough funds in their bank account to cover any payments made using their card.

And if a card is presented that comes up as blocked or declined, then that passenger should be refused travel, unless they can pay with cash or another card.

If you're at the checkout in Tesco paying for your shopping and your card gets declined, the assistant isn't going to let you take your goods away with you!

But going back to the example you may money and have enough to get a ticket, if the money was taken straight away or within 2 buses where it is clear you are getting a daysaver then you would know that £4.80 was taken then would be no risk of running out of money, many passengers wouldn't know NX don't take the money so hence I get your point, but Tesco, Asda or anyone else take the amount straight away so if you have to do £20 worth of shopping that £20 leaves your account.