Off-board fare purchase on bus systems

[generalnerd]

Are there any uk bus systems that still offer tickets off-board/not from the driver (conductor, etc) or have they all been removed?

And what systems have (in recent history) used this system of purchasing not from the driver?

 

[185143]

The Stagecoach 73 in Dundee used to have a conductor but I believe you pay the driver since Convid.

The only one that immediately springs to mind is the London Bus and Tram pass if that's still a thing.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@generalnerd. Take it that you're not talking about products such as 'Daysaver' (multi-modal) or 'System One' (multi operator) zonal passes, which in Greater Manchester land can be used on buses, but are capable of being bought ahead of travel from Metrolink TVMs, National Rail stations, Paypoint outlets, TfGM travel shops.

 

[NorthOxonian]

@generalnerd. Take it that you're not talking about products such as 'Daysaver' (multi-modal) or 'System One' (multi operator) zonal passes, which in Greater Manchester land can be used on buses, but are capable of being bought ahead of travel from Metrolink TVMs, National Rail stations, Paypoint outlets, TfGM travel shops.

There are similar tickets in Tyne and Wear, but additionally a transfer ticket which you buy at a Metro station and covers a metro journey then a bus journey. In theory, you could probably get away with buying a transfer at a Metro station and then not using the Metro portion and just using it for a bus (but it'll be much more expensive than a normal single so I can't see why anyone would).

 

[MCR247]

I assume you aren’t including operators that allow you to purchase tickets in advance on their mobile app?

 

[Vexed]

The Metrobus routes in Bristol are buy before you board with ticket machines at every stop.

 

[YorkRailFan]

First York often has a member of staff at Park & Ride locations selling tickets to speed up boarding on buses into the city centre.

 

[generalnerd]

@generalnerd. Take it that you're not talking about products such as 'Daysaver' (multi-modal) or 'System One' (multi operator) zonal passes, which in Greater Manchester land can be used on buses, but are capable of being bought ahead of travel from Metrolink TVMs, National Rail stations, Paypoint outlets, TfGM travel

Yeah, that’d be correct. I mean fully dedicated bus tickets
—

Doesn’t london still have bus conductors on some services or has that been retired?

 

[kkong]

Are there any uk bus systems that still offer tickets off-board/not from the driver (conductor, etc) or have they all been removed?

The Airlink 100 at Edinburgh Airport often has a member of staff selling tickets to the queue, in order to take some of the load off the driver and permit on-time departures.

 

[cool110]

Until the last one closed last year the various Southport park and rides had been pay on entry to the car park.

 

[nathanclass323]

Do trentbarton still have someone at Derby Bus Station selling tickets for the Red Arrow? They certainly did when I used to commute between Derby and Nottingham by bus but that’s going back a fair few years now.

 

[HullRailMan]

You can buy some tickets (eg the multi-operator ‘Hull Card’ which ironically is issued on a Stagecoach smart card if you want it that way) at the East Yorkshire travel centre in Hull Paragon Interchange.

 

[Busoccultation]

Doesn’t london still have bus conductors on some services or has that been retired?

Not anymore as the heritage services that used original Routemasters on the 9 and 15 are long gone. LT routes that had conductors at the start are also gone as well.

 

[generalnerd]

Not anymore as the heritage services that used original Routemasters on the 9 and 15 are long gone. LT routes that had conductors at the start are also gone as well.

Ah shame. They must have removed them from the new route masters as they had them on one I rode a while back, although I must have been quite young then.

 

[cool110]

They must have removed them from the new route masters as they had them on one I rode a while back

That only lasted a few years, they even updated the design so the newer ones can't be put in conductor mode

 

[generalnerd]

That only lasted a few years, they even updated the design so the newer ones can't be put in conductor mode

What do you mean by ‘conductor mode’?

 

[WestCountry]

The Metrobus routes in Bristol are buy before you board with ticket machines at every stop.

The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway had these initially, but they didn't last long before being permanently switched off and signed 'out of order'.

What do you mean by ‘conductor mode’?

The 'New Routemasters' were originally intended to operate with the rear platform open for hop-on/hop-off boarding supervised by a conductor, similar to the original Routemasters. The rear doors weren't controlled by the driver in that mode. Later ones have a smaller door opening operated by the driver only.

 

[PeterC]

At Oxford Park and Ride car parks you can buy combined parking and bus tickets from the machines with cash or card.

 

[stadler]

Translink in Belfast on their Glider routes G1 and G2 services operate like this. You have to buy your ticket from the TVMs at each stop. The driver does not sell any tickets.

 

[JD2168]

Going back a good 10 years Stagecoach Yorkshire used to have a member of staff selling tickets (mainly singles) at the Arundel Gate stop in Sheffield Centre where most journeys towards Northern General Hospital stop. Since this ended the regular member of staff doing this has gone back to bus driving still with Stagecoach.

 

[stadler]

Operators of the various City Sightseeing tour buses also do this quite often. At major stops they often have someone standing there selling tickets. It helps speed up boarding of these services at busy stops.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

Translink in Belfast on their Glider routes G1 and G2 services operate like this. You have to buy your ticket from the TVMs at each stop. The driver does not sell any tickets.

Plus the express from Belfast to International Airport

 

[stadler]

Plus the express from Belfast to International Airport

Unless it has changed i think on the Airport route it is optional. They have TVMs before boarding but the drivers can still sell tickets. Where as on the Glider routes G1 and G2 you have to purchase at the TVMs before boarding.

 

[Hophead]

If you search hard enough, you can find details of scratch cards on the Brighton & Hove website. You can only get them as an adult Network Saver, either for one day or seven. It would appear that these are no longer available in shops & post offices and can now only be bought at the shop in North Street or at Conway Street garage.

 

[stadler]

If you search hard enough, you can find details of scratch cards on the Brighton & Hove website. You can only get them as an adult Network Saver, either for one day or seven. It would appear that these are no longer available in shops & post offices and can now only be bought at the shop in North Street or at Conway Street garage.

That must be a recent change that they are no longer sold in shops. It is a shame they have made it more difficult to buy. I remember not long ago there used to be over 100 convenience shops all over Brighton (and some in Crowborough / Eastbourne / Lewes / Newhaven / Ringmer / Seaford / Tunbridge Wells / Uckfield etc) that sold them. It seems a shame that they have removed the option. They have also increased the price massively in the last few years. You used to save a lot more with a scratchcard too. I remember not long ago the Network Saver was £7.00 on bus or £5.00 on a scratchcard. Now it is £8.00 on bus or £7.30 on a scratchard.

 

[Hophead]

That must be a recent change that they are no longer sold in shops. It is a shame they have made it more difficult to buy. I remember not long ago there used to be over 100 convenience shops all over Brighton (and some in Crowborough / Eastbourne / Lewes / Newhaven / Ringmer / Seaford / Tunbridge Wells / Uckfield etc) that sold them. It seems a shame that they have removed the option. They have also increased the price massively in the last few years. You used to save a lot more with a scratchcard too. I remember not long ago the Network Saver was £7.00 on bus or £5.00 on a scratchcard. Now it is £8.00 on bus or £7.30 on a scratchard.

If you can still get them more widely, the company certainly isn't saying where - there used to be a list of all outlets. I would expect that they'd like them to be completely phased out, though presumably there is still some demand for now.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

Unless it has changed i think on the Airport route it is optional. They have TVMs before boarding but the drivers can still sell tickets. Where as on the Glider routes G1 and G2 you have to purchase at the TVMs before boarding.

Yes, that is the case. In fact, when I used the service a few weeks ago the driver seem pleased and slightly surprised to be presented with a ready-bought ticket, so I don't think many people avail themselves of the facility.

 

[nick291]

Are there any uk bus systems that still offer tickets off-board/not from the driver (conductor, etc) or have they all been removed?

And what systems have (in recent history) used this system of purchasing not from the driver?

Metrobus in Bristol is 'Buy before you board' and has card only ticket machines at each stop. Though you can tap your card on board if you so wish.

 

[stadler]

Hotel Hoppa at Heathrow Airport have TVMs inside most of the hotel lobbies of the hotels they serve. This has been the case for around twenty years now. But you can still buy your tickets from the driver so using the TVMs is optional.

 

[Hyebone]

A couple of times I've been in Leeds, I've noticed a Coastliner member of staff selling tickets with a handheld ticket machine inside the bus station to speed up boarding for the busy 840/843 services. The tickets are printed with a QR code scanned by the ticketer machine upon boarding. ENCTS and other pass holders just get straight on the bus and tap their passes.