Competition heats up between Transdev and Connexions

[Deerfold]

Just seen the new Transdev website. No PDF timetables to download, a retrograde step...

I've asked them about that on Twitter.

 

[Stan Drews]

Just seen the new Transdev website. No PDF timetables to download, a retrograde step...

Yeah, doesn’t appear to be any way of printing timetables in any form. Well it certainly bucks the trend of those company’s choosing to only offer printable online timetables, instead of traditional printed ones! #Amazing

 

[Andyh82]

It looks very similar to sites I’ve seen elsewhere, that usually offer the ‘print PDF’ option, so it might be coming.

Good that you can now track buses on a live map, and with fleet numbers as well.

 

[Stan Drews]

It looks very similar to sites I’ve seen elsewhere, that usually offer the ‘print PDF’ option, so it might be coming.

Good that you can now track buses on a live map, and with fleet numbers as well.

Yes, it’s becoming a common format for bus company websites, and probably among the best designs. Its by Passenger, and a list of their clients can be found here https://www.discoverpassenger.com/partners/
Like you suggest, there is normally a print PDF option, so hopefully just an initial omission.

 

[SCH117X]

The pdfs on the old site typically froze IE for some odd reason on my pc. Full fare details remain a noticeable absence; what is it about most bus operators hiding their fare tables etc from web sites and I was under the impression it is a requirement of the Buses Act so something a new web site should have addressed. The York site is a noticeable improvement on the old one with the services listed numerically rather than scrambled up as they were previously, like Connexions service list.

 

[Deerfold]

Yes, it’s becoming a common format for bus company websites, and probably among the best designs. Its by Passenger, and a list of their clients can be found here https://www.discoverpassenger.com/partners/
Like you suggest, there is normally a print PDF option, so hopefully just an initial omission.

What you actually got when you downloaded the pdfs on their old site was a pdf of their well-designed paper timetables, with maps showing major stops and sections highlighting attractions on the route.

 

[Stan Drews]

What you actually got when you downloaded the pdfs on their old site was a pdf of their well-designed paper timetables, with maps showing major stops and sections highlighting attractions on the route.

Yeah, that’s usually what the other websites, designed by Passenger, offer as pdf downloads. They generally offer separate map and timetable pdfs, and in the case of Reading Buses, fare tables too.
The other thing I noted missing from the new Transdev sites was any network maps, which is again a surprising omission, given how much the CEO bangs on about their importance!
I wonder how much checking they did, prior to launch?

 

[158756]

Yeah, that’s usually what the other websites, designed by Passenger, offer as pdf downloads. They generally offer separate map and timetable pdfs, and in the case of Reading Buses, fare tables too.
The other thing I noted missing from the new Transdev sites was any network maps, which is again a surprising omission, given how much the CEO bangs on about their importance!
I wonder how much checking they did, prior to launch?

I don't know what Alex Hornby thinks about them, but as far as I was aware Transdev don't do network maps? (Unlike almost any other notable bus operator in the UK)

 

[SCH117X]

Alex Hornby has tweeted this evening re the new web site asking for any views or suggestions via email at [email protected]

 

[Andyh82]

I don't know what Alex Hornby thinks about them, but as far as I was aware Transdev don't do network maps? (Unlike almost any other notable bus operator in the UK)

They do do maps, the local area guides generally have a town map, and then maybe an inter urban links map. Rosso also have two separate maps, and there are the Lancashire and Yorkshire days out guides that gave the illustrated maps.

 

[markymark2000]

I have a feeling that PDFs will come soon but just need uploading and stuff. All operators using the same system have PDF downloads (Reading & NCT for example)

 

[Deerfold]

It does seem odd for the sites not to be complete as they've been advertising them as a huge improvement for weeks. They're different, but I'm not seeing any huge improvements except for the realtime buses - and they were already on the app.

 

[Stan Drews]

It does seem odd for the sites not to be complete as they've been advertising them as a huge improvement for weeks. They're different, but I'm not seeing any huge improvements except for the realtime buses - and they were already on the app.

The lack of network maps is really puzzling, as they already exist within most of their local printed guides, so would be a very simple case of adding the appropriate pdf files to the website.
The individual route maps are a huge improvement, as they were either non-existent or littered with errors on the old site.

 

[158756]

Another change I think they should make is to rearrange the lists of routes to put all the regular services at the top rather than having some below the school routes, or just remove the school routes entirely - most if not all are contracts which will presumably be well publicised by the relevant school and are of no interest to anyone else.

 

[RustySpoons]

It does seem odd for the sites not to be complete as they've been advertising them as a huge improvement for weeks. They're different, but I'm not seeing any huge improvements except for the realtime buses - and they were already on the app.

I have to agree there does seem to be a few backwards steps. The removal of PDF format timetables is a big one. Apparently they can be re-added, but for some reason they waiting for feedback first! Odd, you'd think that'd be the most required feature.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Fair comments. Removing the PDFs seems an odd move and whilst having the routes in a numerical list, it might make more sense to have the regular and schools separated.

 

[Ant158]

Received this tweet from Blackburn Bus co earlier, looks like the pdfs will return.

“Hi, we have checked and although not initially included. Due to feedback requests such as yours the link to the PDF timetable will soon be available. The new journey planner is another option for customers to use. Many thanks for contacting us regarding this matter.”

 

[Alexbus12]

Received this tweet from Blackburn Bus co earlier, looks like the pdfs will return.

“Hi, we have checked and although not initially included. Due to feedback requests such as yours the link to the PDF timetable will soon be available. The new journey planner is another option for customers to use. Many thanks for contacting us regarding this matter.”

Good to see, #Amazing

 

[Deerfold]

Another change I think they should make is to rearrange the lists of routes to put all the regular services at the top rather than having some below the school routes, or just remove the school routes entirely - most if not all are contracts which will presumably be well publicised by the relevant school and are of no interest to anyone else.

Although the new maps don't make clear which bits are once a day or Sunday alterations.

 

[RustySpoons]

Don't forget 'Open Data', which has been quietly announced and mentioned a few times...

https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/open-data

Not really relevant (or even accessible) to most, but I'm assuming it being there is a good thing!

 

[Deerfold]

None of the area tickets on Keighley site actually specify where they're valid, or have a map.
How does anyone check what ticket they need without that?

 

[158756]

None of the area tickets on Keighley site actually specify where they're valid, or have a map.
How does anyone check what ticket they need without that?

The Burnley tickets do have a description, but it doesn't specify the exact boundaries (Padiham - which stop?) and doesn't mention a limit relevant to the X43. But in my experience the drivers don't necessarily know when a ticket is valid, so how is anyone else supposed to know.

The issue I mention above was whether a Burnley area ticket is valid on a 152 between Burnley and Padiham - it's in the area, and is advertised as part of the Mainline service, but isn't a Burnley Bus Company bus. The current wording of the website implies not - which if true means the formerly every 7/8 minute Mainline service for many passengers is now 4 buses per hour with some 20 minute gaps.

 

[Andyh82]

They don’t distinguish between different Transdev company, any ticket is available on all of them in the relevant area. This was one thing immediately brought in when they bought Rosso

 

[lyndhurst25]

None of the area tickets on Keighley site actually specify where they're valid, or have a map.
How does anyone check what ticket they need without that?

Exactly. I had to email Transdev to ask to which stop in Colne on the M4 bus route that their KDay ticket is valid to. In case you need to know, it's the one outside the Crown pub, near to the railway station.

 

[158756]

They don’t distinguish between different Transdev company, any ticket is available on all of them in the relevant area. This was one thing immediately brought in when they bought Rosso

Perhaps this is true, but the website says "travel on any Burnley Bus Company, Mainline or Witchway bus in Burnley. Valid as far as Harle Syke, Casterton Ave, Worsthorne & Padiham." They've gone out of their way to cover which brands it's valid on, but make no mention of the Blackburn Bus Company or Rosso (you can also make a journey within Burnley on the 483). I'm sure at one time it was simply any Transdev bus, but it doesn't sound like it is now.

 

[SCH117X]

PDF timetable has reappeared for the 36 - button above the Update button for the web page timetable. Tweet by Alex Hornby earlier today promised network and route maps

 

[Andyh82]

PDF timetable has reappeared for the 36 - button above the Update button for the web page timetable. Tweet by Alex Hornby earlier today promised network and route maps

The network maps are on for at least Harrogate as well.

 

[Deerfold]

Quite a few Keighley routes don't actually show any times - mostly school and Sunday only services - even when you select the right day (and there's no indication that these routes aren't supposed to run every day).

The school routes which do show times don't let you know which are school-only routes and which are available to the general public.

 

[Andyh82]

Quite a few Keighley routes don't actually show any times - mostly school and Sunday only services - even when you select the right day (and there's no indication that these routes aren't supposed to run every day).

They do on my screen

 

[Deerfold]

They do on my screen

The 873 and 821? The 440 and 441?