Moyes – WHEN DOES THE BUS RUN 1991

Description

Go-Ahead Northern, a major independent bus operator in North East England, prioritizes customer information but does not produce a comprehensive timetable. Reasons include operational complexity (11 depots, 250+ services), limited relevance for short average journeys, a 34% county market share, and a fragmented market of about 28 operators causing rapid change and high costs. Instead the company focuses on cost-effective, updatable information: vehicle- and ticket-borne contact details, a network map, and individual route leaflets printed in-house. It relies on Tyne and Wear PTE’s Travel-Line for wider, up-to-date multi-operator information. Traditional stop displays are expensive and vulnerable to vandalism; advanced real-time display trials proved technically feasible but costly, inflexible, and offered no competitive protection. The company emphasizes staff training and use of radio communications to assist passengers. Conclusion: comprehensive timetables are unjustified locally; operators should provide practical information while local authorities/PTEs bear responsibility for community-wide information.