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

[matchdaybus]

MC13 has broken down in Shaw. Mechanic on route but likely to be running 45 minutes late. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

MC13 is now on the move

 

[Blue Maverick]

MC13 is now on the move

Unfortunately had use the car it just wouldn’t get there in time with the traffic

 

[matchdaybus]

Unfortunately had use the car it just wouldn’t get there in time with the traffic

Apologies for the inconvenience, it did actually arrive about 15 minutes ago but I understand that would have been very rushed for you all.

 

[apple pie corner]

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???

 

[paulchapo]

@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.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Apologies for the inconvenience, it did actually arrive about 15 minutes ago but I understand that would have been very rushed for you all.

Shit happens and thankfully it’s rare at least you put on here it was delayed otherwise lots would’ve been in the dark.

 

[Bad Kompany]

@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.

 

[paulchapo]

@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 understand that point but it would then probably mean a huge crowd of people standing, often in the cold and rain, until all the return passengers arrived and were onboard. As the buses wait 20-25 minutes to depart that could be quite a wait if you get to the bus soon after the final whistle. Also unless the driver has a list with the number of return tickets sold how would he know how many he is expecting? If he did he could then know he could only allow X amount of single tickets onboard for the return trip. It puts quite a bit of stress onto the poor driver too. The better option is probably to do away with return tickets completely.....or make all tickets return only.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

I understand that point but it would then probably mean a huge crowd of people standing, often in the cold and rain, until all the return passengers arrived and were onboard. As the buses wait 20-25 minutes to depart that could be quite a wait if you get to the bus soon after the final whistle. Also unless the driver has a list with the number of return tickets sold how would he know how many he is expecting? If he did he could then know he could only allow X amount of single tickets onboard for the return trip. It puts quite a bit of stress onto the poor driver too. The better option is probably to do away with return tickets completely.....or make all tickets return only.

The idea was that if you have a return ticket your seat was guaranteed. You can’t do away with that because an elderly person on the opposite side of the stadium will take longer to get to the bus before many others but needs to know they have a seat.

I thought they did keep a count of returns bought and therefore only sold singles based on what seats were left. The number of people buying a return and not using the second leg is surely minimal.

 

[paulchapo]

The idea was that if you have a return ticket your seat was guaranteed. You can’t do away with that because an elderly person on the opposite side of the stadium will take longer to get to the bus before many others but needs to know they have a seat.

I thought they did keep a count of returns bought and therefore only sold singles based on what seats were left. The number of people buying a return and not using the second leg is surely minimal.

You can if you do away with return tickets, unless they have a foolproof way of ensuring they know how many singles they can sell for the return journey and stick rigidly to i then it's flawed.

 

[DTKOAG]

I understand that point but it would then probably mean a huge crowd of people standing, often in the cold and rain, until all the return passengers arrived and were onboard. As the buses wait 20-25 minutes to depart that could be quite a wait if you get to the bus soon after the final whistle. Also unless the driver has a list with the number of return tickets sold how would he know how many he is expecting? If he did he could then know he could only allow X amount of single tickets onboard for the return trip. It puts quite a bit of stress onto the poor driver too. The better option is probably to do away with return tickets completely.....or make all tickets return only.

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.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Surely if on the inward journey the driver sells 20 returns then if the bus holds 70 after 50 singles get on for the home journey he doesn't let anymore on....or is that too simple?

 

[paulchapo]

Surely if on the inward journey the driver sells 20 returns then if the bus holds 70 after 50 singles get on for the home journey he doesn't let anymore on....or is that too simple?

As I said it's workable if the driver has this information available and uses it effectively.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

You can if you do away with return tickets, unless they have a foolproof way of ensuring they know how many singles they can sell for the return journey and stick rigidly to i then it's flawed.

But that’s what I mean. Getting rid of returns can’t be done as this service is predominantly (or at least seems most popular) with the elderly supporters and they need to know they can get on the return bus. If it takes them 20 mins to get to the stop and there’s no space then they would have to go find another route back. It would give priority to those who can get there quicker.

I’m pretty sure this issue was clarified when the buses first ran that the driver knows how many returns are bought and can therefore limit how many singles are available on the return journey. It sounds like that hasn’t happened here.

Hopefully matchdaybus will clarify this.

 

[paulchapo]

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 used these buses regularly and it's a great service. On departing, the criteria is clear, buses will depart after a set time, I think 20-25 minutes after the final whistle. If you are right on the opposite side of the stadium and have trouble walking then it might not be a service somebody in that position should consider.
If it's full and he had a return ticket then yes it's wrong. Yesterday was exceptionally busy, particularly on the Altrincham and Didsbury services due to no trams running through Trafford Bar.
I'm sure such problems will be ironed out making an already great service even better.

 

[paulchapo]

But that’s what I mean. Getting rid of returns can’t be done as this service is predominantly (or at least seems most popular) with the elderly supporters and they need to know they can get on the return bus. If it takes them 20 mins to get to the stop and there’s no space then they would have to go find another route back. It would give priority to those who can get there quicker.

I’m pretty sure this issue was clarified when the buses first ran that the driver knows how many returns are bought and can therefore limit how many singles are available on the return journey. It sounds like that hasn’t happened here.

Hopefully matchdaybus will clarify this.

I'm a foc myself and use it regularly. I just swipe my pass on both journeys as I get on. I wasn't aware I could get a return with this pass, if I can it is something I will do in the future.

 

[blue_jess]

Surely if on the inward journey the driver sells 20 returns then if the bus holds 70 after 50 singles get on for the home journey he doesn't let anymore on....or is that too simple?

My understanding was that is it how it does work, so maybe either it was a mistake (either by driver or by the passenger getting there very late) or this rule stopped being applied consistently at some point last season when the buses were not as popular as they have become.

I only ever get the homebound leg and do kind of rely on it as would really struggle to walk all the way into town after the game but appreciate that it's always a slight risk as there will be people who rely on doing the trip both ways for various reasons who need to know they've got a space secured on the return

 

[Blue Maverick]

Driver has a tally of returns and should only let on singles if there is space

 

[vincent]

Does anyone travel by bus/coach from Prestwich? If so where do they leave from?

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

I'm a foc myself and use it regularly. I just swipe my pass on both journeys as I get on. I wasn't aware I could get a return with this pass, if I can it is something I will do in the future.

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?