Coach companies using the same livery

[Deerfold]

Do uno (or did they ever) accept travelcards on these services? Something tells me that they did (approx 5 years ago, when I lived there) but I don't recall 100% either way. I guess they don't now?

They used to, yes. They must now have decided that the fixed amount TfL would give them for each use is not worth them accepting them.

This timetable from 2009 (http://www.unobus.info/previewpdf/614preview.pdf) confirms this. Note that you find this very easily with a google search but there's no indication it's no longer valid.

 

[34D]

They used to, yes. They must now have decided that the fixed amount TfL would give them for each use is not worth them accepting them.

Indeed, same as metroline 84 and 242 I expect.

 

[davido39]

All of which of course being Stagecoach companies.

EH!! When did this happen, as far as I'm aware Parks are not in any way owned by Stagecoach, you could be getting mixed up with the fact both Stagecoach and Parks service the 900 to Edinburgh.

On a separate note Fraser Eagle's (sadly now gone) livery could be seen on many other coaches operated by other companies, think it had something to do with the contract Fraser Eagle had for rail replacement. I remember Fraser Eagle being a fairly small coach operator and their garage on Tampits Road in Accrington with their various vehicles in more than one color before opting for their blue and green color.

 

[mbonwick]

Even Citylink isn't all Stagecoach, but rather a Joint Venture with Comfort DelGro (parent group of Metroline). CDG own 65% of the venture, Stagecoach only have 35%.

 

[causton]

Indeed, same as metroline 84 and 242 I expect.

I did assume that it was TfL pushing them away from this, as it was only ever the 84 and the 614 that accepted them ever! (The 242 didn't, they just used the same buses that the 84 does)

I think TfL preferred to promote their own bus network, the bus companies didn't like the small amount of money they got and passengers sometimes got on for free when the wrong bus turned up, as with Uno only a few buses were actually equipped with the proper TfL ticket machines, the others retaining the standard ones, so they could not touch in and got waved on!

(A couple of people did also touch in where Oyster was valid and stay on to a point where it was not, examples being that people at St Albans always used to try and touch in and when it didn't work, they would say "Well I came here with my Oyster card!"

 

[Deerfold]

I did assume that it was TfL pushing them away from this, as it was only ever the 84 and the 614 that accepted them ever! (The 242 didn't, they just used the same buses that the 84 does)

I think TfL preferred to promote their own bus network, the bus companies didn't like the small amount of money they got and passengers sometimes got on for free when the wrong bus turned up, as with Uno only a few buses were actually equipped with the proper TfL ticket machines, the others retaining the standard ones, so they could not touch in and got waved on!

(A couple of people did also touch in where Oyster was valid and stay on to a point where it was not, examples being that people at St Albans always used to try and touch in and when it didn't work, they would say "Well I came here with my Oyster card!"

There used to be quite a lot of cross-boundary routes that accepted Oyster (and Travelcards etc) at least to the boundary - Uno's 615 and 610 also did.

The 477 into Kent still accepts some TfL tickets (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/477.pdf).

The 84 soes offer a discount for TfL ticket holders (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/084.pdf)
as do the 409 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/409C.pdf),
458 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/458C.pdf),
459 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/459C.pdf),
461 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/461C.PDF),
another 461 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/461C.pdf),
513 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/513.pdf),
514 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/514.pdf),
515 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/515.pdf),
515A (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/515A.pdf),
555 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/555.pdf),
557 (http://www.busmap.co.uk/tt4/557.pdf).

There may be others.

I don't think TfL has actively tried to disuade operators from accepting their tickets and it produces better publicity than many local councils (the examples above are usually on the bus stops within London) but the share of a travelcard (perhaps 40p?) or the #1.35 from PAYG is probably not economic for many operators and there's the hassle of claiming it and ensuring the buses with Oyster readers are on the right routes - they probably balance the loss of custom they may have with the extra revenue from those who continue to travel with them.