Essex Saver Ticket

[scottish rider]

I was planning on a day out in Essex by bus next month and saw details of the Essex Saver ticket online, including an old thread on here. I planned to buy one on a Chambers (Go Ahead) service but hope to use First and Stephensons buses later in the day.

Does anyone have experience of buying one of theses tickets recently and was there any problem using it on multiple operators?

I know in some places drivers of the major operator sometimes don't see these type of multi operator tickets very often or being issued on different types of ticket machine and that can cause questions about its validity.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I was planning on a day out in Essex by bus next month and saw details of the Essex Saver ticket online, including an old thread on here. I planned to buy one on a Chambers (Go Ahead) service but hope to use First and Stephensons buses later in the day.

Does anyone have experience of buying one of theses tickets recently and was there any problem using it on multiple operators?

I know in some places drivers of the major operator sometimes don't see these type of multi operator tickets very often or being issued on different types of ticket machine and that can cause questions about its validity.

I can't help on this ticket but the best advice I can give is to print a copy of the appropriate web page (and leaflet if you can find it), just in case a driver doubts you.

I did the same on the Cotswold Explorer and having the leaflet certainly helped.

 

[Typhoon]

Wrong side of the river but in a similar situation, I have e-mailed the companies concerned - then print out the response to show to the driver. If you have a problem you have a name to complain to.

I would take the print outs (leaflet, as above, and responses) no matter what other respondents say. The problem can be drivers whose knowledge is variable, and just one driver can spoil your day.

It looks like it is still valid (http://www.essexhighways.org/transp...und/bus/fares-and-bus-passes/ecc-tickets.aspx) as this has a future date.

I have learnt by experience - I was denied the use of a multi-journey ticket because the driver said that I had bought it on a bus from a different garage (same company)!

 

[RELL6L]

I used one last autumn on a number of operators, although I bought it on First, nobody batted an eyelid, they all seemed to know what it was, no problem at all.

 

[Typhoon]

I used one last autumn on a number of operators, although I bought it on First, nobody batted an eyelid, they all seemed to know what it was, no problem at all.

It does seem well advertised, perhaps there is no need for quite as much evidence.

From #1, Stephensons venture into Southend unitary authority. I am not certain from the description whether it is valid there? Locals might know better!

 

[scottish rider]

Many thanks for the advice, I'll take a print out of the Essex CC webpage (and also keep a look out for a leaflet if I can find one). As the conditions say its valid on direct services from Essex without changing buses I thought I would go for a look round Sudbury by Chambers then head out to the coast Clacton/Frinton area. It seems good value even at £10 when the major operators day tickets seem to be around the £8.50/£9.00 mark.

 

[ashworth]

I have used Essex Saver tickets on a number of occasions over the last few years when I have been on holiday in that area. I have never had any problem using them with any bus operator and the smaller companies like Stephensons are very good at selling them and promoting them on their websites. Interestingly I have never been able to find any reference to them on the First Essex website.

I’ve never had any problems purchasing one but you do have to be careful with First Essex drivers who will try to sell you one of their First Day tickets instead. Perhaps this won’t be such a problem now that the Essex Saver price is rising to £10. Two years ago when the Essex Saver was only £8 it was about the same price as the First Day Essex ticket and I don’t think First were too keen to sell them.

 

[scottish rider]

Had a very successful day out - thanks for the advice. I took a printout of the Essex CC website in case I needed it, but all the drivers seemed to know about the Essex Saver ticket.

I started at Colchester North Station on a Chambers 754 to Sudbury, a Scania East Lancs Omnidekka, spot on time with a helpful driver who was happy to sell my ticket but wanted to check I was using other operators that day as a Hedingham or Chambers ticket could have been cheaper. I was surprised by the quite a good passenger loading, picking up several passengers en-route. Very nice run through Essex and Suffolk passing pleasant villages. In Bures we passed what I take it was historically the Chambers Depot which still stands, though not used for buses now by the looks of it.

In Sudbury I changed to an Chambers 84, an Enviro 200 Dart, rather than a double deck unfortunately, but to quite a high spec of high back seats with seatbelts. No problem with my ticket but the driver did advise that it was an indirect way to Colchester in case I wasn't aware. Another pleasant run, historically I think at least part would have been run by Norfolks of Nayland until they sold out to Hedingham. Quieter route this time and I was the only passenger at one part and I took this bus back to the centre of Colchester.

A quick lunch in Debenhams - close to the bus stop for my next leg to Clacton. An X76 of Hedingham was another Omnidekka, on time with a welcoming driver and nice journey though not as scenic as my earlier ones. I was dropped of in the centre of Clacton, which is looks to be economically struggling, perhaps part of the reason why First is proposing to reduce their operation there.

Next I took a Hedingham 134 along the seafront to Holland on Sea, another Omnidekka. Very quiet journey passenger wise but nice views out to sea, happy pleasant driver, think he forgot I was up the stair as he was singing as he drove along!

Changed there for a First 7 to Walton, a Scania Omnicity which clearly had had an internal refurbishment so tidy inside and fitted with black leather (or e-leather) seats. I'm not a huge fan of Omnicities - I find them a bit claustrophobic inside, but it was a pleasant journey. The driver questioned the Chambers ticket but then saw it had Essex Saver on it too so was ok about it then.

At Walton a Stephensons Enviro 200 dart on the 105 back to Colchester, it seemed fairly new, driver pleasant and I was waved on after a quick glance at my ticket. Myself and 4 other passengers were picked up in Walton and all traveled to Colchester, pleasant run through Essex countyside.

At Colchester I took a short hop on an Arriva Dart with Plaxton Pointer body to the North Station, friendly driver, scruffy interior of the bus which looked as if coud do with a refurbishment or replaced. It didn't look from the age profile of the Arriva fleet that Colchester is a prime location for them.

So the ticket is great value at £10 I didn't have any problems buying or using it and would certainly buy one again next time I visit the area. Buses all on time and apart from the Arriva Dart all were presented very tidily inside.