Bonkers Busway
This article on the Cambridge Evening News is so sad it’s funny.
It’s almost as the fare system for the new busway was designed by a Mr. M. Python.
But rather than one ticket for both services, people can only get on buses run by the operator whose name is on their ticket.
The county council, which is in charge of the system, has launched a website for passengers, explaining where the main bus stops are, and how tickets can be bought.
Passengers hopping aboard the buses when they are on normal roads can pay the driver in the usual way – but if they get on at one of the stops on the guided section, between Cambridge and St Ives, they will have to buy a ticket from a railway station-style machine, before a bus arrives.
So you’ll need to take binoculars so that you can determine which bus is coming, before buying a ticket. Or they could set up a CCTV system, so you could see what’s happening a kilometre down the track! Perhaps though, the electronic bus indicator saying how long before the next bus arrives, will say the company!
They say that they haven’t had time to develop electronic ticketing! Hmm! I was in London today and used my Oyster card, which I seem to remember has worked on buses for quite a few years now! That must have been a mirage.
But then I suspect all this doesn’t matter too much to those who’ve planned, designed and promoted this scheme, as they need won’t use it anyway! It should actually be condition of election that you have to get to council meetings by either public transport, bicycle or Shank’s pony.
As I said in an earlier post, I wish the busway well, but it does seem that it is doomed by bad planning, unthought design and late delivery.
The Anonymous Widower 
It is a shame that the Guideway can only ever be a rich source of amusement and a transport curiosity.
I feel confident it will be declared a huge success as dotty schemes invariably are.
It does seem a shame that an opportunity has been missed.
Comment by Brynley | September 7, 2009 |
As someone whose software has brought many great schemes to fruition, success is often in the details. It looks like the management and direction of this project is not up to the standard one would expect.
They have made mistakes with the ticketing, the bridge by the station and in how many other places.
Comment by AnonW | September 7, 2009 |
[…] I’ve said before that I’m unsure about the busway. I also think that some of the decisions taken about ticketing are quite frankly bonkers. […]
Pingback by Scooters Invade Busway « The Anonymous Widower | November 14, 2009 |
[…] was inevitable, as having two separate operators with their own systems was idiotic, as I pointed out months […]
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