City bus scheme for home games - bus tracking (P91)

[Blue Maverick]

I’m not sure how it works for those with free travel, I never really took notice. On the two occasions I have used the service I had to tell the driver I wanted a return as I am still a young whippersnapper but now you mention it the others travelling for free just seemed to wave their passes at him. Maybe he just assumed they wanted a return?

FOCs should pay a nominal fee to bring the price down for us all! As more use it the price will only get pushed up. It’s not part of the Bee network as such anyway.

 

[CC1]

I’m not sure how it works for those with free travel, I never really took notice. On the two occasions I have used the service I had to tell the driver I wanted a return as I am still a young whippersnapper and subject to paying but now you mention it the others travelling for free just seemed to wave their passes at him. Maybe he just assumed they wanted a return?

Good point. Those I travel with also just waive their card but they don’t get a receipt. Perhaps they should ask for a return but I’ve never seen anyone with a bus pass actually get a receipt. Have you actually been given a return receipt when using your bus pass

 

[Bad Kompany]

If the guy above got to the pick up point within this 20/25 minute cut off and the the bus was full or had departed then that is bang out of order based on him purchasing a return ticket.
Especially if he has young family and also his car was parked at the pick up point.
If this service is getting more popular then this will happen on a regular basis.
Needs addressing before i contemplate using it.

I was there in time but as we got to the door he pulled away as he was at capacity, as i say no problem with all the staff but just personally believe if you've got a return you should be guaranteed. Surely must be simple enough for them to know how many singles they can accommodate for the return journey?

 

[paulchapo]

I was there in time but as we got to the door he pulled away as he was at capacity, as i say no problem with all the staff but just personally believe if you've got a return you should be guaranteed. Surely must be simple enough for them to know how many singles they can accommodate for the return journey?

It's probably never happened before ( Although somebody will probably prove me wrong lol ) but as more people are becoming aware of it and it's popularity increases it's something that will need addressing. Katie did say if there's the demand for the service they will increase capacity on the routes that warrant it.
Also as I previously mentioned yesterday was pretty exceptional with Trafford Bar tram stop being out of action meaning for many tram users it was a no brainer to use the bus. I personally spoke to about five people over both journeys that would normally catch the tram.

 

[CC1]

Good point. Those I travel with also just waive their card but they don’t get a receipt. Perhaps they should ask for a return but I’ve never seen anyone with a bus pass actually get a receipt. Have you actually been given a return receipt when using your bus pass

@matchdaybus
Hi there. Can you clarify the issue about return tickets/receipts for bus pass passengers. Many thanks

 

[paulchapo]

Good point. Those I travel with also just waive their card but they don’t get a receipt. Perhaps they should ask for a return but I’ve never seen anyone with a bus pass actually get a receipt. Have you actually been given a return receipt when using your bus pass

I always put my pass onto the card holder but I haven't noticed if it prints out a ticket. Some drivers insist on concessionary pass holders putting it onto the machine, perhaps to register numbers?

 

[paulchapo]

FOCs should pay a nominal fee to bring the price down for us all! As more use it the price will only get pushed up. It’s not part of the Bee network as such anyway.

Oh let's kick the foc's now eh? They are conventional buses owned by a Greater Manchester company so although hired by the club I'm not sure of the legality of that idea. A private coach company would be a different kettle of fish. A few foc's paying wouldn't fetch your ticket price down I could 99% guarantee that. Now if all the busses were full of foc passengers then yes they probably wouldn't run at all, unless the club were happy to fully cover the cost.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Oh let's kick the foc's now eh? They are conventional buses owned by a Greater Manchester company so although hired by the club I'm not sure of the legality of that idea. A private coach company would be a different kettle of fish. A few foc's paying wouldn't fetch your ticket price down I could 99% guarantee that. Now if all the busses were full of foc passengers then yes they probably wouldn't run at all, unless the club were happy to fully cover the cost.

You know I’m on a wind up pal, but just to let you know on our bus it’s not a few FOC it’s getting to 50/50 the more that use it, I think the price should be standard for everyone who hasn’t got a pass, some pay £8 some pay £6 depending on where you are picked up, make £7 for everyone it’s still the same service.

 

[paulchapo]

You know I’m on a wind up pal, but just to let you know on our bus it’s not a few FOC it’s getting to 50/50 the more that use it, I think the price should be standard for everyone who hasn’t got a pass, some pay £8 some pay £6 depending on where you are picked up, make £7 for everyone it’s still the same service.

As your foc comment ended with a ! It came across as somebody who had a bee in their bonnet about such passengers not paying, but if you say it was a wind up fair enough. If they had to.pay but could get to and from the ground by other means free of charge, or for the nominal yearly £10 fee if they use the tram or train, a fair few probably wouldn't use the service. I can already here the rejoicing from some shouting good that leaves more space for us fare paying passengers lol.

 

[Blue Maverick]

As your foc comment ended with a ! It came across as somebody who had a bee in their bonnet about such passengers not paying, but if you say it was a wind up fair enough. If they had to.pay but could get to and from the ground by other means free of charge, or for the nominal yearly £10 fee if they use the tram or train, a fair few probably wouldn't use the service. I can already here the rejoicing from some shouting good that leaves more space for us fare paying passengers lol.

It’s more convenience for everyone it’s door to door, they could get buses and trams for free but it’s a lot of chopping and changing and walking, but they tried two buses in the M13 route but the second has been stopped as it gets busier though like I said if more people are getting it for free what then, it would be unsustainable unless more buses are put on but then I’d suggest prices may rise. Funnily enough I expect Wednesday CL night it won’t be full as most have sacked it off.

 

[paulchapo]

It’s more convenience for everyone it’s door to door, they could get buses and trams for free but it’s a lot of chopping and changing and walking, but they tried two buses in the M13 route but the second has been stopped as it gets busier though like I said if more people are getting it for free what then, it would be unsustainable unless more buses are put on but then I’d suggest prices may rise. Funnily enough I expect Wednesday CL night it won’t be full as most have sacked it off.

That's correct although not everybody lives very close to a pick up point so have to travel to one. Having said that for me it's preferable than other methods. If it's a Sunday game though and metrolink aren't dicking about I'll catch a tram there as they go straight from Altrincham to the stadium.

 

[Blue Maverick]

That's correct although not everybody lives very close to a pick up point so have to travel to one. Having said that for me it's preferable than other methods. If it's a Sunday game though and metrolink aren't dicking about I'll catch a tram there as they go straight from Altrincham to the stadium.

From Royton it’s a nighmare unless you go into Ashton to pick up the tram and Sundays are shit, I can’t fault this except maybe the smell of piss and werthers ;)

 

[DWIFF]

Caught bus 5 from Didsbury yesterday to and from the match due to the issues on the Metrolink. Really impressed with the service. I’ve had a Metrolink season card for the past 4 seasons but yesterday’s service on the bus has made me think twice before renewing my Metrolink season card. Does the bus operator operate a similar season card?

 

[Roachy]

Caught bus 5 from Didsbury yesterday to and from the match due to the issues on the Metrolink. Really impressed with the service. I’ve had a Metrolink season card for the past 4 seasons but yesterday’s service on the bus has made me think twice before renewing my Metrolink season card. Does the bus operator operate a similar season card?

The tram is becoming a complete pain in the arse for games now. Along with yourself I'm seriously considering not bothering with the metro season ticket after this season. Going to monitor the bus scenario.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Caught bus 5 from Didsbury yesterday to and from the match due to the issues on the Metrolink. Really impressed with the service. I’ve had a Metrolink season card for the past 4 seasons but yesterday’s service on the bus has made me think twice before renewing my Metrolink season card. Does the bus operator operate a similar season card?

No

 

[Champions again in 2012]

I travel on the 15 from Middleton... superb service..
However, this has really picked up so much so, there is standing room only..
Any chance the 15 express can be put back on???

I use the same service and it is getting more and more popular

 

[matchdaybus]

I travel on the 15 from Middleton... superb service..
However, this has really picked up so much so, there is standing room only..
Any chance the 15 express can be put back on???

Hello, thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re currently reviewing the data for each service, and if we find this is a common issue, we’ll look into adding extra capacity or introducing an additional service.

 

[matchdaybus]

@matchdaybus well done yesterday, thank God we have you running. What would have been an horrendous journey, due to the usual metrolink trick on a City match day of closing a key station en route for engineering works, was straightforward. Sure the two buses I caught, Altrincham out and Didsbury back were packed, with people standing, but at least we were warm and our journeys direct and uncomplicated.
Perhaps an extra bus on busy routes could be ordered when metrolink are up to their usual tricks as now more and more people are becoming aware of the service it is getting very busy.

Hello, thank you for sharing your feedback! We often see more people using the buses when Metrolink works are taking place but to make sure any changes are worthwhile, we review data across multiple fixtures before making adjustments. If we find services are reaching capacity, we’ll certainly look at adding more buses or introducing an additional service.
Matchday shuttles are dedicated event buses, so they operate differently from standard Bee Network replacement buses. However, you do raise a valid point in what more can be done to support on busy event days and that is something we are looking at getting better at. We really appreciate your feedback!

 

[matchdaybus]

@matchdaybus Must commend the guy who helped me and my son out after the game yesterday as well as the driver who agreed to get us back to Tyldesley after the no.11 left when it was full.

However, quick question. Is it not possible to let all passengers on who have a return ticket before letting on singles? We got on at Tyldesley , bought returns, my car was parked there, if the other driver hadn't agreed to take us back we would have been in a bit of a pickle.

I think the service is great, and the staff yesterday were extremely helpful. I just think that returns should be honoured before singles can get on especially if really busy like yesterday.

I’ve passed on your thanks to my colleague who helped you out! We are seeing these services become increasingly popular and we understand how important it is to make sure everyone gets home safely, especially at this time of year with the cold and dark nights.
I’ll be analysing the data and making changes where needed, and I’ll work with drivers to ensure those with return tickets are prioritised as they should be. Thank you for your feedback – it’s really appreciated.

 

[matchdaybus]

@matchdaybus
Hi there. Can you clarify the issue about return tickets/receipts for bus pass passengers. Many thanks

Hello, When a concession pass is scanned, it shows as a single ticket, which does create some limitations. Our priority is making sure everyone can board and get home safely, whether you have a single, return, or concession ticket.
I’ll be reviewing which buses need extra capacity and exploring if there’s anything we can do around ticketing to make things smoother. Please leave it with me, I’ll do everything I can to improve the experience and ensure reliability for you all!