SPT ZoneCard - Zones Advice

[GaryMcEwan]

Looking for advice from anyone that has any knowledge regarding the zoning of SPT's ZoneCard system.

Currently I have a 3 Zone ZoneCard (G1-G8) for the Glasgow area, and from September I'll be travelling to Cumbernauld, however this is in Zone S6. I've had bus drivers and SPT tell me different stories on the number of zones that would be required for travelling to Cumbernauld.

Drivers say 4 Zones are required, but SPT say 5 Zones is required as you travel through Zone S3.

However, the X25A which is ran by Stagecoach Glasgow goes straight along the motorway and into Cumbernauld which is Zone S6. So I can't fathom out why I also need Zone S3 if I don't travel through it on the X25A. First Glasgow run the X5 to Cumbernauld which does go through Zone S3, but I won't be using First to get to Cumbernauld.

Any help with this would be much appreciated.

 

[gunn13]

You only need to purchase the zones for which your journey travels through.
If you don't pass through a zone at any point on your journey you don't need it.
The zones you purchase must be continuous; there can't be a gap between them.

 

[b0b]

However, the X25A which is ran by Stagecoach Glasgow goes straight along the motorway and into Cumbernauld which is Zone S6. So I can't fathom out why I also need Zone S3 if I don't travel through it on the X25A.

How do you get between the last Glasgow Zone and S6? they dont touch, so you must be travelling through another S zone, which puts you at 5 zones.

 

[adrock1976]

The M80 motorway runs through Muirhead, which is in zone S3 according to the zonecard map.

This is the only explanation I can think of after looking at the map on the SPT website and relating it to Google Maps.

I also remember at one time that you could not purchase a Glasgow zone by itself ( or maybe 2?). You had to purchase at least 2 (or 3?) Glasgow zones, which allowed you to use the zonecard for unlimited travel across all of the Glasgow zones. I'm not sure if that is still the case nowadays or not.

In peace

Adam

 

[b0b]

I also remember at one time that you could not purchase a Glasgow zone by itself ( or maybe 2?). You had to purchase at least 2 (or 3?) Glasgow zones, which allowed you to use the zonecard for unlimited travel across all of the Glasgow zones. I'm not sure if that is still the case nowadays or not.

AIUI if you need one of G1/G2 with any of G3-G8, you have to buy 3 G zones, but they give you all of G1-G8.

which in practice isn't terribly useful.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

So all in all, I'm gonna have to buy a Zone I have no need for to travel out to Cumbernauld?

Nice to see SPT make things nice and easy as per usual...

Yeah that's right, if you buy 3 G Zones, you get the whole G area (G1 - G8)

 

[b0b]

So all in all, I'm gonna have to buy a Zone I have no need for to travel out to Cumbernauld?

pretty much how it works, you need all the zones you pass through. Maybe look into bus-only week/month passes if thats the only reason you're going to Cumbernauld.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

pretty much how it works, you need all the zones you pass through. Maybe look into bus-only week/month passes if thats the only reason you're going to Cumbernauld.

I also use the local trains and the subway as well so a Zonecard pretty much covers it all...

 

[b0b]

I also use the local trains and the subway as well so a Zonecard pretty much covers it all...

quick google says the bus ticket is £53 vs a 5 zone zonecard for £114.20, so thats £61.20 difference ... maybe you can find other tickets for the other travel.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I just found this on the zonecard site

" If you hold a valid ticket for either G1 or G2 and wish to travel in an outer Glasgow zone (G3 to G8) a minimum of three zones is required. If you possess three Glasgow zones, you will have the freedom to travel in all Glasgow zones (G1 to G8)."

it doesnt say you need to buy 3 glasgow zones, just a minimum of 3 zones. So you might only need 2 G zones + 2 S zones. It depends on your route...

 

[GaryMcEwan]

quick google says the bus ticket is £53 vs a 5 zone zonecard for £114.20, so thats £61.20 difference ... maybe you can find other tickets for the other travel.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I just found this on the zonecard site

" If you hold a valid ticket for either G1 or G2 and wish to travel in an outer Glasgow zone (G3 to G8) a minimum of three zones is required. If you possess three Glasgow zones, you will have the freedom to travel in all Glasgow zones (G1 to G8)."

it doesnt say you need to buy 3 glasgow zones, just a minimum of 3 zones. So you might only need 2 G zones + 2 S zones. It depends on your route...

I stay in Craigend which is G6, so I need all the G Zones...

 

[reb0118]

From my operations handbook:-

Routing
Cumbernauld to Glasgow
Customers buying zones S6, S3, G6, and G1 are also entitled to through travel in zones S2 and G7. Boading and alighting in S2 and G7 is not permitted.

Not sure if the above only applies to train travel but do not see that it should.

 

[318259]

You know Stagecoach offer a MegaRider for Cumbernauld to Glasgow for £15 a week or £53 for 4 weeks?

That's £60 cheaper than a ZoneCard. Even if you occasionally make other journeys around Glasgow that wouldn't be covered, and you had to buy tickets, you'd probably still save money with the MegaRider.

To be honest, ZoneCards are only really worth it if you're making longer journeys that involve changing several times, or if you're really travelling around the zones you're paying for.

For example, I had a ZoneCard when I used to travel from East Ayrshire to Glasgow Uni every day. That journey was two hours each way and involved a Stagecoach bus, SPT train and the Glasgow Subway.

Unless you're making a journey that complex every day, you'll almost always find a FirstWeek, MegaRider or train season ticket costs about half of what a ZoneCard costs.