On the buses! (Stagecoach)

Member Name: lolly23

Product:	Stagecoach
Date:	02/05/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Friendly service, gets you where you need to go!

Disadvantages: Becoming expensive

Stagecoach are the primary providers of public transport in my area (East
Midlands). Obviously all areas, buses, drivers, prices are different so I can only comment on my area's service.

I have been using buses as my main form of transport for a few years now although hopefully this will be my last year as I have just bought a beautiful little car called Jasmine (now all I need is to pass my test!).

Stagecoach run around 90% of all buses in my area and some routes have buses as often as every 5 minutes - that is a lot of buses! The bus routes cover almost all areas and almost any where you go in the area you are never more than a 3 min walk to a bus stop. Not bad, eh?

Obviously this is a mammoth task and inevitably goes wrong sometimes. Actually, a lot of the time. There are frequently buses missed out, usually at morning rush hour or during the school run, which are the worst possible times for this to happen! There are also a lot of drivers who are extremely rude. Then there are some who seem like their main source of fun comes from spotting people who are running for the bus then speeding up past the stop so they don't have to let them on!

Once, I was walking to the main bus stop in town where the bus usually waits for a few minutes, my son (who was 2 at the time) ran in front and jumped on behind the last person in the queue. I dropped my purse and as I was picking it up the bus driver saw me stood a few feet away, obviously wanting to get on, so he quickly closed the doors and attempted to drive off. He didn't even think to wonder why a 2 year old was riding the bus alone! Obviously I ran up and started hammering on the windows so he stopped a few metres down the road, then proceeded to have a go at me for not being in control of my child!

Luckily a neighbour was on the bus already so my son would have been ok if he hadn't stopped. She also saw the whole thing and stood up for me.
He later drove straight past an elderly man who was waving for the bus, struggling to walk to the bus stop - ignorant *******! My neighbour and I both gave him a mouthful when we got off and later reported him.

Since then I have noted a vast improvement in service. Most drivers will greet you with a smile and small talk while paying. They also seem to go out of their way to help customers now rather than trying to avoid them altogether! Just last week, I was on a crowded bus and both pram/wheelchair spaces were taken when a young woman turned up with two children, one in a pushchair, one walking, and lots of bags as well. She said she could always wait for the next one (20 mins) but the driver got out of his seat, helped her put the chair down, then carried both the buggy and bags on to the bus for her. Awww, how sweet!

One problem I do have is the constant price increases, almost every 4 months there seems to be a price rise. I always buy a megarider as I use buses so much to get to college (18 a week!), it works out cheap for me (£10.50) but the price of a bus ride to town (never mind back again!) can cost more than the price of a car park fare.

The buses themselves can vary greatly, some are very new and some are well past their sell by dates! They have all got CCTV fitted now for extra security which may help people feel safer when taking the bus late at night.

Overall, a patchy service which is gradually improving.

Pros: Friendly service, CCTV provides extra security
Cons: Expensive, some rude drivers, not very reliable

Summary: Essential for some. I wouldn't bother if I could drive, though!