Want to catch a bus? Don’t have a smartphone? Read on!
In the past you could pick up a timetable from somewhere such as a library. When Covid hit, printed copies disappeared and never returned. In recent time it was possible to download a PDF copy so you could reference it at your leisure. Arriva timetables have been updated every two months in recent times, so when the last one expired on 1 June, I went to find some information and discovered this type of timetable is no longer available.
Arriva are now producing what they call live timetables, I guess that means whatever appears on the app at the time. In my opinion this gives them carte-blanche to remove a service without any comeback.
I was incensed and wrote to my MP David Smith and my County Councillor Pauline Davidson. Here is a summary of the feedback.
David Smith told me he has had a number of emails over the last two years, raising serious concerns about the bus services operated by Arriva. David’s office regularly seeks updates on their operation. It was reported that many of the issues stem from the previous owners not investing in new buses. The current owners are investing in new buses and this should become evident across the network.
I am grateful to Geoffrey Crow a fellow bus user and caseworker for David Smith, who responded very quickly to my correspondence.
Northumberland County Council are responsible for bus stops and there are considerable differences in what is available at the stops around the area. It ranges from a simple sign post with little or no information to a plush indoor area with a digital display giving up to date information.
County Councillor Pauline Davidson has yet to respond.
So, if you are not a regular bus user and you don’t have a smart phone, where would you get your information? Amble Library will print off a copy of local timetables which they access through Nexus.
I contacted Arriva buses for timetables via email; they sent me printed copies of the X20 service (seven sheets of A4) and the X18 (21 sheets of A4). It took a week to arrive and the days of the week were not indicated. Contacting them on 0344 8004411, can inform you if a service is running late, if you can conduct a conversation over the noise of the traffic. Putting this number in your mobile phone could help.
We are encouraged to use public transport, and for some people there is no alternative. All these changes do not help.
If you have a smartphone, you can get advice from Arriva’s website. They say, “we’ve squeezed all of the routes and times into the palm of your hand! Stay up to date when things change, with personalised travel alerts straight to your phone. Avoid delays and last-minute surprises. No one likes disruptions to their journey, but now you’ll be able to keep up to date with service changes directly inside the app. Remember to check updated timetables before you travel, as some journey times may have changed.”
Good luck if you don’t have the technology. Why don’t you tell us about your experience?
