So, I met with a representative (Martin Hancock and a communications officer) for National Express West Midlands this Wednesday to discuss all things buses, mainly giving change, but also other concerns that had been expressed by people on this blog, members of the facebook group and through various other mediums.

CHANGE

This was of course the main crux of the meeting and we spent most time discussing this. They sort of admitted that it wasn't necessarily a fair way of making additional revenue. I explained that I knew what their official line was (that it makes getting the bus take longer and it puts drivers at risk) and explained why I didn't think these reasons stood up. I also had a bit of trick up my sleeve as I had complained to all the bus companies in the UK that do give change, asking them to not give change because of the NXWM reasons. Their responses were fantastic and I read some of them out in the meeting. Stuff such as:

 

'I do believe the vast majority of our customers would expect us to give change. Not everyone will know in advance how much their fare is going to be and one would not expect to always have to produce the right money in a shop, or indeed, to not receive change for a purchase made. '

Stage Coach South Wales

 

'Our drivers are very safe in their work environment and the giving of change doesn’t impact on this.'

Brighton and Hove Buses

 

I have about 20 emails along similar lines from most bus companies in the UK and I told them this.

I then asked, official reasons aside, whether the actual reason they don't give change is because they've never given change and therefore they can get away with making a bit of extra money. His response to this was to not answer the questions, stating that the actual additional money made was minimal. I asked how much was minimal, specifically how much additional money was made through not giving change last year. He didn't know, but said he could find out. However, he said he would have to discuss it with other management before he told me what the figure was. I suspect it is around £10,000 a year. I suppose when you're making £16.5million profit £10,000 seems minimal.

The change thing came to a bit of a standstill; they're clearly not going to start giving change, but they have agreed to go away and get back to me within two weeks about the possibility of a) announcing how much additional money they make from not giving change publicly and b) giving that money to charity. If it's minimal, they won't miss it. It's a bit of a cop out but I think people would begrudge it less if they knew it was going to a good cause.

 

SMART CARD PAYMENT SYSTEMS

There seems to be progress being made on the Smart Card. They explained that the reason it's been slow on the uptake is to do with manufacturer issues rather than a lack of funding. As far as they're concerned the sooner they get smart cards on the system the better as they hope it'll make it easier for people to get the bus and therefore more revenue for them. They expect to be having a thorough trial of the system by this time next year and have smart cards fully implemented within two years. It should be stated that they were reluctant to promise this completely.

 

CRIME/TV SCREENS ON BUSES

We discussed the level of crime on the bus and how it was much higher than on other types of transport. I was also particularly pleased with myself when I said 'why do you think there's more crime on buses than on other types of transport? Do you think it's because people are angry about not getting change?' 

They said that the police have been much better recently at dealing with crime on the bus (apparently at one stage, crime committed on buses bizarrely wasn't being included on official stats). They also said that this was the reason they had put TV screens on the buses displaying CCTV images as it acts as a deterrent to would-be criminals. They have had good success rates with convicting people who cause disruption on buses using the footage gleaned from the CCTV cameras as it is now at a quality considered good enough by the police and courts. I suggested these screens could be used more, with some images of CCTV used but also information about the next stop, the route and so on. They seemed to like this idea.

Interestingly, they said the worst time for crime was around 4pm when the schools come out and that crime in the evenings is less common.

 

BUS LANES & TRAFFIC ISSUES

One of the things that they expressed concern about was the fact that bus lanes simply aren't enforced properly. This is something that also emerged from my meeting with Birmingham Friends of the Earth. Birmingham is undoubtedly the city of the car, with public transport an after thought. Both organisations want red routes and more thoughtful consideration given to allow buses to not get caught up in traffic.

 

The meeting lasted about an hour and a half (still not long enough to discuss everything in half as much detail as I would've liked) and I think it's a good sign that, largely, they were quite open and honest with me about their policies. Whilst I'm disappointed I didn't manage to get them to give change, I think giving the additional money made to charity seems like a fair compromise - if they agree to it. I will of course update the blog as soon as I hear from them and worry not, no is not an answer I will be accepting.

 

The next step, I think, is to try and get a meeting with someone in transport at Birmingham City Council to ask them how they can help improve the system. 

 

In the meantime, keep your comments and suggestions about your experiences with Birmingham's buses coming either here on the facebook page.

 

Keep smiling!

x

 

One of the many criticisms leveled at Birmingham buses which has not been addressed by this campaign in much detail (yet) is the level of crime on buses in the area. Again, this seems to be something that is almost unique to Birmingham, with many other cities not suffering with antisocial behaviour on their public transport in anything like the same way we do. 

Here's a link to a blog from Dave Woodhall in which he makes a number of good points on this, including the fact that some people think if you've suffered antisocial behaviour on the bus in Birmingham you somehow have yourself to blame for using public transport.

The campaign is hotting up - we're devising strategies, talking to commuters, brainstorming ideas and just generally getting people talking about buses in Birmingham ahead of our meeting with National Express West Midlands (the bus company in question) on May 4th.

Whilst getting them to give change is the reason for the campaign in the first place, there are many other issues with buses in Birmingham that ought to be addressed. We want to know other things you want to see improved. Things already suggested include:

• More information on the buses about which stop is next, destination of service, etc. like on London buses.
• More information at bus stops themselves, such as having screens on all bus stops (not just those in 'middle class areas') telling commuters when the next service is due to arrive.
• Cheaper fares, including a reintroduction of the evening saver.
• Later bus services, particularly at weekends.
• Cleaner, safer buses in general.
• More and better policed bus lanes (a proposal for the council more than the bus company).
• Smart card payment systems.

These are just a few of the suggestions made by the people of Birmingham. If you've caught a bus in the last few months, or even use them on a regular basis, you're likely to have an opinion as to what needs improving. We want to hear that opinion. We'd also like to know, if the bus company outright refuses to offer change in the future, would you like to see that extra money be given to charity (as is the case in Dublin) or the driver gives you an IOU (which is done in some areas of Wales)? 

You can comment on this blog or post your suggestions on the Facebook page for debate.

Welcome to the Official blog for the 'Time for Change: On Birmingham's Buses' campaign. I'm Joe Lycett, 22, born and raised in Hall Green Birmingham and I believe we deserve a better transport system in Birmingham. I'm not alone in this.

The campaign started when I was sat with some friends in a pub in Moseley. We had come from different places, me from Hall Green, another from Kings Heath and some from town. We had all prepared to pay the £3 for the evening saver. We were all shocked to see it had been abolished. Some of us had to get a taxi, not because we didn't have cash on us, but because the buses demanded the exact change for us to get the newly priced £3.60 daysaver. It was at this stage that I decided to launch the campaign.

In just a few months the campaign has gone from strength to strength - it's been covered in the Birmingham Mail and the Metro newspapers, had help and support from Birmingham Friends of the Earth, and most recently the bus company in question National Express West Midlands has agreed to meet to discuss the prospect of change on the buses (on 4th May 2011).

Most other cities in the UK give change on their buses, including Manchester which operates the busiest bus route in Europe. If they can devise a system that works then there is absolutely no reason why we can't. Giving change on the bus is the reasonable thing to do. Not giving change is unreasonable. It's as simple as that.

There are other things that need improving, not just giving change. Some of them are outlined below:

• Modernising of buses to use an 'Oyster card' style payment system
• Longer operating hours
• Properly policed bus lanes
• Reasonable pricing

Your support is invaluable in helping boost the campaign. If you'd like to get involved with the campaign send me a tweet at @joelycett and I'll make sure to include you in any way possible. You can also register your interest on the facebook page. In the meantime, keep an eye on the blog which will be updated regularly with news on the campaign.

Thanks for your time!

Joe

x