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PlusBus Tickets
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Normally I'd be surprised at how bad this is, but as it is Trainpal/Trip, it is actually better than I'd expect (they actually bothered to add the message)...
Adam Williams
Established Member
The standard requires them to actually suppress NFC properly, not add a lazy message. This is an accreditation failure.
Also wonder what they do on iOS where one cannot simply 'turn off NFC'.
AFAIK:
If the phone detects a card reader, you would get the pop up and the request for FaceID/TouchID, the developer can tell the phone to supress the pop-up.
The main issue being Express Mode (some classes of readers allowing locked payments for transit). It's unclear if the feature works with phone unlocked, but for example, Transit Card on Samsung Wallet only works with screen locked and turned off, if screen is on, it will tell you to open wallet the normal way.
Yeah, you can suppress it, but given they've just added a warning instead of actually doing the suppression on Android it's a question of whether they were equally as incompetent on iOS
While just looking at the details of the Greater Manchester plusbus, a question regarding validity has come to mind. The information page states that the 'Bee Network' is a participating operator, which to my understanding includes bus and tram services. The PlusBus FAQs however state that the Manchester Metrolink is not included. While I suspect an oversight failing to specify specifically 'Bee Network buses' is the source of this discrepancy, which information would take precedence, and has anyone had experience with this recently?
Trams aren't included in Manchester
Obviously they aren't meant to be, but on the other hand, someone viewing the page @Class172 linked would have no reason to think "Bee Network" meant anything other than, well, Bee Network (and the "it's PlusBus, so obviously no trams" argument falls over when considering some PlusBus tickets do allow trams-Birmingham springs to mind).
In short, seems contractually dubious to penalise someone for using a Manchester PlusBus on the trams, given your "average" passenger could easily conclude it is valid...
Used a Bradford PlusBus this afternoon, again no issues on First.
Different story on TLC Travel, Ticketer machine rejected, although driver was happy to allow travel
Different story on TLC Travel, Ticketer machine rejected, although driver was happy to allow travel
Of course there's an argument that can be made that a passenger aware of the existence of PlusBus is not an 'average' passenger. If your prior experience of them however is in places such as Birmingham or Sheffield, where trams are included, then it's perfectly reasonable to assume this might apply elsewhere.
I don't think you can read the "participating operators" section and yet ignore the actual description of the ticket (emphasis mine).
I do think it's a bit crappy though that you have to go to a seperate "trams" page to find out which trams plusbus is accepted on, rather than it being mentioned in the pages on the individual tickets.
Haywain
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 3 Feb 2013
- Messages
- 24,850
It is mentioned in the individual pages, under participating operators, although in Blackpool's case there is no distinction as both bus and tram have the same operator.
Travelled within the Milton Keynes Central (MKC) and Luton Airport Parkway (LTN) PlusBus zones yesterday. Tickets were issued by ticket offices on PRT* and accepted on all 17 rides, but scans were a mixed bag as ever.
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Arriva Beds & Bucks - 5 rides (4 MKC, 1 LTN). All scans successful.
Uno (MKC only) - 3 rides. 2 scans successful, 1 scan impossible (faulty Ticketer). Pleasantly surprised as Uno isn't listed as a participant.
Grant Palmer - 3 rides. 2 scans successful (MKC), 1 scan rejected (LTN).
Red Rose (MKC only) - 2 rides. 1 scan rejected, 1 scan impossible (faulty Ticketer).
Stagecoach East - 2 rides (1 in each zone). Both scans impossible because Vix, though Ticketers will replace them in due course.
Centrebus South (LTN only) - 1 ride. A bizarre one, this - scan was initially rejected then accepted before the rejection tone could finish with a NO TICKETS AVAILABLE message displayed (usually indicative of a faulty Ticketer). Essentially "Computer Says N--Yes!"
Z&S Transport (MKC only) - 1 ride. Scan not registered as TransMach TM500 camera** failed to detect Aztec code. No option to manually record PlusBus use either so Z&S don't get credit for it; driver in question previously made enquiries (not sure to whom) about this issue.
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@Adam Williams if you'd like me to send the usual Ticketer rejected scan details let me know.
[* MKC +Bus purchased at Luton Airport Parkway (run by GTR), LTN +Bus purchased at Bletchley (run by WMT).]
[** In my limited experience these work less than half the time. In contrast the TM700 versions worked just fine during my Reading travels earlier this year.]
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Arriva Beds & Bucks - 5 rides (4 MKC, 1 LTN). All scans successful.
Uno (MKC only) - 3 rides. 2 scans successful, 1 scan impossible (faulty Ticketer). Pleasantly surprised as Uno isn't listed as a participant.
Grant Palmer - 3 rides. 2 scans successful (MKC), 1 scan rejected (LTN).
Red Rose (MKC only) - 2 rides. 1 scan rejected, 1 scan impossible (faulty Ticketer).
Stagecoach East - 2 rides (1 in each zone). Both scans impossible because Vix, though Ticketers will replace them in due course.
Centrebus South (LTN only) - 1 ride. A bizarre one, this - scan was initially rejected then accepted before the rejection tone could finish with a NO TICKETS AVAILABLE message displayed (usually indicative of a faulty Ticketer). Essentially "Computer Says N--Yes!"
Z&S Transport (MKC only) - 1 ride. Scan not registered as TransMach TM500 camera** failed to detect Aztec code. No option to manually record PlusBus use either so Z&S don't get credit for it; driver in question previously made enquiries (not sure to whom) about this issue.
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@Adam Williams if you'd like me to send the usual Ticketer rejected scan details let me know.
[* MKC +Bus purchased at Luton Airport Parkway (run by GTR), LTN +Bus purchased at Bletchley (run by WMT).]
[** In my limited experience these work less than half the time. In contrast the TM700 versions worked just fine during my Reading travels earlier this year.]
Adam Williams
Established Member
If you don't mind, means it can be tracked on Raileasy's side and then escalated to Ticketer.
I raised the problems with Red Eagle on Friday (thanks @purple-Azumas), not had an ack back yet.
Should I send you a Railforums DM or a message through the TrainSplit app?
(Just sent DM. Can send through TS too if preferred.)
Last edited:
purple-Azumas
Member
Thank you! Sorry, should have replied to your email!
Willie Bee
Member
My wife and I have just returned from a short stay in Glasgow.
We bought PlusBus tickets as we found them useful last time we visited Glasgow, but this time, with the numerous roadworks and related bus diversions, they weren't that useful.
Twice, we looked online for bus details only to find the bus stop we had headed for was 'TEMPORARILY CLOSED'
We ended up walking instead
We bought PlusBus tickets as we found them useful last time we visited Glasgow, but this time, with the numerous roadworks and related bus diversions, they weren't that useful.
Twice, we looked online for bus details only to find the bus stop we had headed for was 'TEMPORARILY CLOSED'
We ended up walking instead
IanD
Established Member
Useful to know as the Milton Keynes council site used to say that they were specifically excluded along with the Stagecoach X5. Now they don't even mention PlusBus as a ticketing option at all.
Uno's own site now says they accept PlusBus in all areas they operate in.
Buzby
Established Member
I could have warned you about that if I’d known! We are suffering from multiple road closures (Stockwell Street, George Square etc) resulting in routes missing the bulk of the inner city as they head into or out of Buchanan Bus Station - the diversion routes are not signposted and no extra stops have been added (and they whizz by stops not designated for them!).
dave87016
Established Member
Plus bus in Blackpool used to be valid on all Blackpool transport buses network and also on Blackpool trams between Starr Gate and Cleveleys , it’s now valid on the whole of Blackpool tram network from Starr Gate - Fleetwood
northernhunter
New Member
Has anyone had positive or negative experience for Stagecoach Oxford? Does the ticket scanner work for the QR code ticket, amd most importantly are drivers happy to see the Plus Bus tickets?
redreni
Established Member
All the drivers seemed to know about it and readily accepted it every time I've been to Oxford.
I've always had it as CCST, though, so couldn't comment on the scanners. I'd be surprised if they haven't been set up to accept PlusBus, though, as the scheme is quite widely promoted and used in Oxford compared with almost anywhere else I've used it. Oxford United FC actively promotes PlusBus in its information for visiting supporters, for instance.
Joshua_Harman
Member
Apart from Bedford. The plusbus website doesn’t include them, wonder if they do or don’t.
Stagecoach Oxford swapped out all their ticket machines recently. If they and the new supplier (Ticketer) have all their ducks in a row then the new machines should recognise valid PlusBus eTickets.
For my part I'll wait until Ticketer have been to Bedford depot for TK300 installation across the Stagecoach East fleet there, then check both SE and Uno after that. Grant Palmer used to accept PlusBus there too but haven't for a while AFAIK.
northernhunter
New Member
Thanks! That's good to know their scanners could accept Plus Bus tickets.
Off topic earlier this year it was mostly uneventful whilst using Plus Bus tickets in Edinburgh (inc. Tram). Only one occasion a bus driver refused e-ticket acceptance, citing there was no scanners for QR code tickets. I insisted Plus Bus being a valid ticket with the plusbus.info page but didn't help at the slightest. Waited for another service and no further issues. Wrote to Lothian's customer service, they then reminded drivers that Plus Bus is a valid ticket.
Off topic earlier this year it was mostly uneventful whilst using Plus Bus tickets in Edinburgh (inc. Tram). Only one occasion a bus driver refused e-ticket acceptance, citing there was no scanners for QR code tickets. I insisted Plus Bus being a valid ticket with the plusbus.info page but didn't help at the slightest. Waited for another service and no further issues. Wrote to Lothian's customer service, they then reminded drivers that Plus Bus is a valid ticket.
IanD
Established Member
Uno's website specifically mentions Bedford and Milton Keynes at the bottom of this page Uno Bus Website :
Adam Williams
Established Member
Traveline seemed to think it would work, and have been working closely with Stagecoach Oxford apparently, when I brought it up.
Proof will be in the pudding. Ticketer haven't been very responsive with me as of late, though, so if it doesn't work I'm not sure how likely it is we'll be able to get a resolution.
dk1
Veteran Member
Sheil Buses in Fort William seemed very unsure of PlusBus even though both drivers allowed me to travel. I did tweet the company praising them but suggesting it would be good to remind drivers but received no reply.
Only other problem I’ve had was in Solihull. All other participating operators and their staff whether it be bus or tram across the UK have always been problem free.
Only other problem I’ve had was in Solihull. All other participating operators and their staff whether it be bus or tram across the UK have always been problem free.