Bluestar 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 and First X2 and 11 are affected.
There are also diversions for about 3 weeks around Morrisons in West Totton. Bluestar 11 is reverting to its traditional route, missing out Morrisons altogether and terminating at Goodies roundabout:
The T3 and T4 are still serving Morrisons, but from Calmore Road, they are having to run via Calmore Corner and Goodies in order to get there. This will last about 3 weeks. More reasons to shop elsewhere!
Just as Bluestar have decided that PayPoint is old hat, opting instead for The Key smartcard with online top ups and mobile ticketing apps, First have decided to only now start selling tickets through PayPoint. First of course do have an app, but they haven't thought to sell tickets on it yet.
Oi, First, where's yer smartcard?!
First Smartcard - light years away!
ReplyDeleteBluestar are well and truly in the driving seat with that.
Was a press release not issued by First stating some fancy smart card system would be in place by now! Oh hang on they struggle to get buses on the road and run a service let alone smart cards.
ReplyDeleteBack to the First bashing I see. Just how bias and blinkered people are in their views! Each company has their problems but people really need to be balanced in their views. First aren't perfect and neither or Bluestar. Neither pretend to be perfect either!
ReplyDeleteIt is true that First don't have a Smartcard and but they are planning to use a system where your contactless bank card can be used (see http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/dorset/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=2881). True, the press release states the system would be in place by the end of 2012 so it's running a bit late!
For an organisation arrogant enough to call itself First,one can't blame others for noting it rarely is first at anything.Surely such a mighty empire should have the latest passenger payment methods in place,not simply'coming soon',which as you point out,the last scheme has failed to do on time.Time to remove the your blinkers old boy.
ReplyDeleteYawn, First bashers get a life and move on.
ReplyDeleteFirstbashers?wonder why?A dreadfull bus company!!!employing lots of rude and ignorant bus drivers!!i seem to see more buses running with "not in service",while having passengers on board,than those in service some days!Bluestar are`nt perfect,but at least their drivers largly acknowledge you ,if you say "thanks",on disembarking!
ReplyDeleteNever had a problem with First drivers, always found them on a par to Bluestar. Meanwhile the standard of grammar from some commentators (the same commentator on here?) is appalling, probably the same person slinging insults on a previous thread.
ReplyDeleteHow can anyone possibly stick up for First?
ReplyDeleteWell, whilst I agree that as a bus operator, they are normally second rate, I did travel on a guys bus the other day, who managed to smile and be polite! Its a shame the bus was about 20 years old though!! One thing that they ought to do immediately, is ban those awful caps that some of them wear. It makes the driver look like a chav who has just stolen the bus, rather than the professional, that he is supposed to be.
DeleteIn reply to Anonymous @21:41 - easily! In my experience their drivers have been polite, buses punctual and their City Day ticket at £3.20 excellent value, providing much more frequent and a wider variety of routes than Bluestar in the same area for cheaper!
DeleteOf course this is my experience, and yours sounds a little different.
The point I'm trying to make is that there are too many people who just take a completely one-sided view of things and cannot listen to reason, especially when commenting on this blog. Most hide behind the blanket of 'Anonymous' without anything constructive to say, simply rolling out yet another diatribe against First (e.g Anonymous 8 February 2013 22:31).
As I've stated before neither First or Bluestar are perfect (I agree that a lot of First buses are quite old now - eg. the R reg Darts). You need to be balanced! For a more reasoned view of the operators I suggest you join one of the forums dedicated to local bus operators.
Well said BadgerMan, couldn't have put I better myself!
DeleteThanks for the updates on roadworks etc as usual - very useful info.
ReplyDelete