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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2016 11:41:40 GMT
The problem is with paper tickets at the moment though is that if some drivers dont see their respective logo on the bus ticket, they'll instantly reject it (this was a big problem with tates). The move to smart ticketing is one thats good, but like you said there's no real way to police it unless the ticket machines had extra stopping points at the various boundaries which is going to be a farse. I doubt even the pte themselves know what tickets are valid to what point.... nevermind the drivers, especially the ones who do the cross-county routes and are being thrown in the deep end with the vast array of tickets. Essentially someone could defraud the pte by showing a driverthe travelmaster website, whose boundary points could be vastly wrong, and could break through the glass ceiling with ease. Very valid points.
Even the most diligent drivers get confused when they see a multi-operator ticket. The problem is layout of information as well as logos. I was baffled the other day why a 'Get about' issued by First had the word 'Bury' in the top left hand corner - presume there is some reason for this? Obviously the more checking that is done by the machine, incidences of valid passengers being rejected will decrease. Of course drivers have to be trained so as if a ticket is rejected they first check its validity before telling the passenger that it is not valid. Thus, there is still a need for drivers to carry up to date details of ticket validities in printed form.
With zonal smart ticketing it is actually essential that the first / last stop in each zone is effectively a fare stage. That does not mean the fare has to be different though. Otherwise problems as mentioned in the Holbrook / Killamarsh area will continue. It is interesting to note that on the Batemoor / Dronfield (South Yorkshire / Derbyshire) boundary Stagecoach do have first / last stops in each county as fare stages. Here things are working smoothly.
Certainly from what is on the web sites you do get the impression that SYPTE / Travelmaster have very little comprehension of boundaries. So if they haven't what chance have drivers got? Even the most diligent end up not bothering as a result.
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Post by duncan on Apr 10, 2016 19:22:40 GMT
The problem is with paper tickets at the moment though is that if some drivers dont see their respective logo on the bus ticket, they'll instantly reject it (this was a big problem with tates). The move to smart ticketing is one thats good, but like you said there's no real way to police it unless the ticket machines had extra stopping points at the various boundaries which is going to be a farse. I doubt even the pte themselves know what tickets are valid to what point.... nevermind the drivers, especially the ones who do the cross-county routes and are being thrown in the deep end with the vast array of tickets. Essentially someone could defraud the pte by showing a driverthe travelmaster website, whose boundary points could be vastly wrong, and could break through the glass ceiling with ease. Very valid points.
Even the most diligent drivers get confused when they see a multi-operator ticket. The problem is layout of information as well as logos. I was baffled the other day why a 'Get about' issued by First had the word 'Bury' in the top left hand corner - presume there is some reason for this? Obviously the more checking that is done by the machine, incidences of valid passengers being rejected will decrease. Of course drivers have to be trained so as if a ticket is rejected they first check its validity before telling the passenger that it is not valid. Thus, there is still a need for drivers to carry up to date details of ticket validities in printed form.
With zonal smart ticketing it is actually essential that the first / last stop in each zone is effectively a fare stage. That does not mean the fare has to be different though. Otherwise problems as mentioned in the Holbrook / Killamarsh area will continue. It is interesting to note that on the Batemoor / Dronfield (South Yorkshire / Derbyshire) boundary Stagecoach do have first / last stops in each county as fare stages. Here things are working smoothly.
Certainly from what is on the web sites you do get the impression that SYPTE / Travelmaster have very little comprehension of boundaries. So if they haven't what chance have drivers got? Even the most diligent end up not bothering as a result.
.. With boundaries being moved on a regular basis to suit the mood of the moment it would be a non ending task. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2016 10:53:46 GMT
Another example of total confusion and complication concerns the 'Metromaster'. Exactly where this bus only ticket can be used now is far from clear. Both Travelmaster www.wymetro.com/TicketsAndPasses/moresavings/MetroMaster/ and Metro www.wymetro.com/TicketsAndPasses/moresavings/MetroMaster/ websites indicate it can be used thoughout South and West Yorkshire. However, when the 'Travelmaster' area was extended to include Killamarsh and Spinkhill a year ago the instructions in 'Ticket Information For Drivers & Conductors 47' was "Also valid to and from High Moor, Killamarsh, Norwood and Spinkhill". This though has never been explained on the websites. When the 'Travelmaster' was extended to Include Eckington and Marsh Lane no mention appears to have been made about this ticket. When queried with Stagecoach they were of the view a 'Metromaster' included the whole 'Travelmaster' area including Killamarsh, Spinkhill, Eckington and Marsh Lane rather than just South Yorkshire. Presumably their machines are set up to thus accept the smart version. This ticket though can no longer be purchased in South Yorkshire! This appears to have come about due to the need for a photocard to accompany the ticket. In South Yorkshire these were issued at the information offices that have been closed. How you now obtain a photocard in South Yorkshire is a mystery. The above mentioned 'Travelmaster' webpage says "You will be issued with a TravelMaster card in South Yorkshire" but no indication of how you apply for one. It does say a 'Metromaster' can be loaded onto a smart card so we have a situation that although this ticket can be used throughout South Yorkshire the only way to renew it is to travel to West Yorkshire and visit a Metro information office. They can issue it for you on your Stagecoach Smart / Travelmaster smart card and presumably if you have not got one issue you with a Metro Photocard. Incidentally the link to Metro Travel Centres on the 'Travelmaster' MetroMaster page doesn't work just to make things harder. There are probably not a lot of 'Metromaster' tickets in circulation but for some passengers, particularly those who travel regularly in the South / West Yorkshire borderlands, it suits their needs admirably. Does it really need to be so difficult to obtain and renew one? |
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Post by Arriva Wakefield on Apr 11, 2016 13:47:47 GMT
Another example of total confusion and complication concerns the 'Metromaster'. Exactly where this bus only ticket can be used now is far from clear. Both Travelmaster www.wymetro.com/TicketsAndPasses/moresavings/MetroMaster/ and Metro www.wymetro.com/TicketsAndPasses/moresavings/MetroMaster/ websites indicate it can be used thoughout South and West Yorkshire. However, when the 'Travelmaster' area was extended to include Killamarsh and Spinkhill a year ago the instructions in 'Ticket Information For Drivers & Conductors 47' was "Also valid to and from High Moor, Killamarsh, Norwood and Spinkhill". This though has never been explained on the websites. When the 'Travelmaster' was extended to Include Eckington and Marsh Lane no mention appears to have been made about this ticket. When queried with Stagecoach they were of the view a 'Metromaster' included the whole 'Travelmaster' area including Killamarsh, Spinkhill, Eckington and Marsh Lane rather than just South Yorkshire. Presumably their machines are set up to thus accept the smart version. This ticket though can no longer be purchased in South Yorkshire! This appears to have come about due to the need for a photocard to accompany the ticket. In South Yorkshire these were issued at the information offices that have been closed. How you now obtain a photocard in South Yorkshire is a mystery. The above mentioned 'Travelmaster' webpage says "You will be issued with a TravelMaster card in South Yorkshire" but no indication of how you apply for one. It does say a 'Metromaster' can be loaded onto a smart card so we have a situation that although this ticket can be used throughout South Yorkshire the only way to renew it is to travel to West Yorkshire and visit a Metro information office. They can issue it for you on your Stagecoach Smart / Travelmaster smart card and presumably if you have not got one issue you with a Metro Photocard. Incidentally the link to Metro Travel Centres on the 'Travelmaster' MetroMaster page doesn't work just to make things harder. There are probably not a lot of 'Metromaster' tickets in circulation but for some passengers, particularly those who travel regularly in the South / West Yorkshire borderlands, it suits their needs admirably. Does it really need to be so difficult to obtain and renew one? Only WY SmartCard products with a photo are 11-16, 16-18 & 16-25/Mature Students for weekly/monthly tickets and Adult for Annuals. |
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Post by tomtom11928 on Apr 11, 2016 19:28:49 GMT
The problem is with paper tickets at the moment though is that if some drivers dont see their respective logo on the bus ticket, they'll instantly reject it (this was a big problem with tates). The move to smart ticketing is one thats good, but like you said there's no real way to police it unless the ticket machines had extra stopping points at the various boundaries which is going to be a farse. I doubt even the pte themselves know what tickets are valid to what point.... nevermind the drivers, especially the ones who do the cross-county routes and are being thrown in the deep end with the vast array of tickets. Essentially someone could defraud the pte by showing a driverthe travelmaster website, whose boundary points could be vastly wrong, and could break through the glass ceiling with ease. Very valid points.
Even the most diligent drivers get confused when they see a multi-operator ticket. The problem is layout of information as well as logos. I was baffled the other day why a 'Get about' issued by First had the word 'Bury' in the top left hand corner - presume there is some reason for this? Obviously the more checking that is done by the machine, incidences of valid passengers being rejected will decrease. Of course drivers have to be trained so as if a ticket is rejected they first check its validity before telling the passenger that it is not valid. Thus, there is still a need for drivers to carry up to date details of ticket validities in printed form.
With zonal smart ticketing it is actually essential that the first / last stop in each zone is effectively a fare stage. That does not mean the fare has to be different though. Otherwise problems as mentioned in the Holbrook / Killamarsh area will continue. It is interesting to note that on the Batemoor / Dronfield (South Yorkshire / Derbyshire) boundary Stagecoach do have first / last stops in each county as fare stages. Here things are working smoothly.
Certainly from what is on the web sites you do get the impression that SYPTE / Travelmaster have very little comprehension of boundaries. So if they haven't what chance have drivers got? Even the most diligent end up not bothering as a result.
The ever-changing word on the top left of first tickets is a security word that changes each day to try and stop counterfeit tickets, along with the logo for the day of issue in the bottom right - it's also used on the mTickets along with the current time and flashing lights. I'm guessing from your response that you're a non-First bus driver due to being baffled by the security word. Mind if I ask what company you work for and the town/division of the bus company? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2016 20:39:07 GMT
Another example of total confusion and complication concerns the 'Metromaster'. Exactly where this bus only ticket can be used now is far from clear. Both Travelmaster www.wymetro.com/TicketsAndPasses/moresavings/MetroMaster/ and Metro www.wymetro.com/TicketsAndPasses/moresavings/MetroMaster/ websites indicate it can be used thoughout South and West Yorkshire. However, when the 'Travelmaster' area was extended to include Killamarsh and Spinkhill a year ago the instructions in 'Ticket Information For Drivers & Conductors 47' was "Also valid to and from High Moor, Killamarsh, Norwood and Spinkhill". This though has never been explained on the websites. When the 'Travelmaster' was extended to Include Eckington and Marsh Lane no mention appears to have been made about this ticket. When queried with Stagecoach they were of the view a 'Metromaster' included the whole 'Travelmaster' area including Killamarsh, Spinkhill, Eckington and Marsh Lane rather than just South Yorkshire. Presumably their machines are set up to thus accept the smart version. This ticket though can no longer be purchased in South Yorkshire! This appears to have come about due to the need for a photocard to accompany the ticket. In South Yorkshire these were issued at the information offices that have been closed. How you now obtain a photocard in South Yorkshire is a mystery. The above mentioned 'Travelmaster' webpage says "You will be issued with a TravelMaster card in South Yorkshire" but no indication of how you apply for one. It does say a 'Metromaster' can be loaded onto a smart card so we have a situation that although this ticket can be used throughout South Yorkshire the only way to renew it is to travel to West Yorkshire and visit a Metro information office. They can issue it for you on your Stagecoach Smart / Travelmaster smart card and presumably if you have not got one issue you with a Metro Photocard. Incidentally the link to Metro Travel Centres on the 'Travelmaster' MetroMaster page doesn't work just to make things harder. There are probably not a lot of 'Metromaster' tickets in circulation but for some passengers, particularly those who travel regularly in the South / West Yorkshire borderlands, it suits their needs admirably. Does it really need to be so difficult to obtain and renew one? Only WY SmartCard products with a photo are 11-16, 16-18 & 16-25/Mature Students for weekly/monthly tickets and Adult for Annuals.
Even more confusing! The Metro website www.wymetro.com/TicketsAndPasses/moresavings/MetroMaster/ clearly says "For your first MetroMaster you will need to take along a passport-size photograph for the PhotoCard. You will be issued with a MetroCard PhotoCard." Similarly the Travelmaster website www.sytravelmaster.com/metromaster says "To buy a MetroMaster you will need a passport photograph of yourself, or an existing TravelMaster Photocard or MetroCard. You will be issued with a TravelMaster card in South Yorkshire or a MetroCard Photocard in West Yorkshire". Obviously 'Arriva Wakefield' is well versed in WY tickets and unless I have misunderstood what he has said, you do not now need a photocard to go with a Metromaster. The question then is, why are both websites saying that you do when you don't? That being the case then surely you should be able to buy and top up a Metromaster at machines in South and West Yorkshire.
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431
Driver
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Post by 431 on Jan 6, 2017 12:07:03 GMT
As of Monday 2nd January 2017 the travel master brand as been rebranded to south Yorkshire connect +. Also the price went up as well
south Yorkshire connect + one day ticket new price is £7.90
The 7 day ticket new price is £28.80¹
The 28 day ticket is £98.40
The 365 day ticket £1082.00
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Post by duncan on Jan 6, 2017 12:37:28 GMT
As of Monday 2nd January 2017 the travel master brand as been rebranded to south Yorkshire connect +. Also the price went up as well south Yorkshire connect + one day ticket new price is £7.90 The 7 day ticket new price is £28.80¹ The 28 day ticket is £98.40 The 365 day ticket £1082.00 Such a shame that one of the economies from the PTE was to stop producing booklets letting staff know about changes such as these. Expect loads of confusion. Nice one SYPTE. |
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Post by tomtom11928 on Jan 6, 2017 17:06:07 GMT
As of Monday 2nd January 2017 the travel master brand as been rebranded to south Yorkshire connect +. Also the price went up as well south Yorkshire connect + one day ticket new price is £7.90 The 7 day ticket new price is £28.80¹ The 28 day ticket is £98.40 The 365 day ticket £1082.00 Such a shame that one of the economies from the PTE was to stop producing booklets letting staff know about changes such as these. Expect loads of confusion. Nice one SYPTE. Highlighted very nicely with the GetAbout+ Week. If it's in a first pouch stagecoach don't like it and vice versa, and if I bought it on a TM bus I'm in for an argument with the driver |
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