Had a really good time this morning out leafleting in Belle Isle. We shifted a good few leaflets and had a good response from people we chatted to on the streets and in their gardens.
However, I was in a foul mood on my way there. I was trying to catch the bus - it's only about 1.5 or 2 miles. But it would have been faster to walk than work out which bus to get. The telephone helpline at Metro is unaswered after about 15 minutes. The website is just as unhelpful with an appalling user interface and very little useful information, and no option to easily use it on a PDA so you can check it while actually at a bus stop! The timetables displayed at the few stops that bother to display them give absolutely no information about the route.
Now most of this is Metro's fault - for once not the private bus companies. If they are trying to promote bus travel they really must try harder. There is no excuse for them not having a better timetable website and the phone line should be properly staffed. Another moan is that after buying two tickets (for my two trips) I'm told I could have got a day ticket and saved some money - but there was absolutely nothing about this on display at the bus stop or as you get on the bus. All in all a terrible experience which would not encourage me to repeat the experience.
And the most worrying things is that Metro is considered to be one of the best local passenger transport authorities!
