Day 3 of #BetterTransportWeek 2024, and thus day 3 of my personal challenge to write a daily post on how I think public transport could be better, from the perspective of someone who uses it extensively.
Two shorter points today (I'm off to the pub quiz shortly!).
Firstly, I think users of public transport, including me, need to shout about the positive experiences more. Generally, you only hear about public transport when journeys go wrong - they are late, overcrowded or cancelled. But in my experience that is the exception, not the norm. So let's celebrate it working!
Further, we need to celebrate the hard work and accommodation of staff when things don't go right. Yes, they could sometimes be better at giving you information about what is happening - but often they don't know and are working very hard to sort it out.
I have never been stranded - whenever trains have been cancelled, they have found a way to get me to my destination. Most memorably for me this included a nearly 4-hour taxi ride from Fort William to Edinburgh earlier this year, when the Caledonian Sleeper couldn't run due to flooding. And only last week, a taxi ride from Shrewsbury to Porthmadog when my train was terminated early. It just happened.
Don't get me wrong, it is frustrating and tiring. But I work on the 'there's nothing I can do, so relax' principle, and it works out thanks to the efforts of the staff.
Secondly, there are a wide range of excellent rover tickets that need better advertising. You can find a list at https://lnkd.in/eSUqyF2R. I've used several of these, particularly the Spirit of Scotland pass (see also https://lnkd.in/eEtdmBvz) that can give you 8 days unlimited travel across Scotland for only £189. I find them great for holidays. I believe there are similar such tickets on the bus networks, but they are more difficult to find in my experience.
Anyway, quiz time. A friend is picking me up tonight, which is useful, as the buses late in the evening are not frequent or convenient... An issue for another post!
Happy Holidays from our team to yours! 🎄