Travel next season

[Van Der Nipper]

No not yet,but there is a meeting regarding travel next Thursday 8pm in the Ambrose.

[Holkerbird]

Having missed just 2 away games over the 6/7 seasons when the coach was run, for me the season ticket option would be the best bet. It is an amazing saving providing most games are covered.

A bloody wedding and Danielle's 18th (tried to get her to celebrate it the day before but the selfish brat refused) spoiled my attendance record. Some games we managed to get to by car and minibus and the New Year's day match v Gateshead me and Bahamasbluebird (joined by boyliegladbach once we arrived) traveled there via 4 trains and a taxi to see us win on a mudbath of a pitch 1-0. The last game played at their home ground for the remainder of that season.
How will this 40 odd quid be paid--via direct debit or what?

[Van Der Nipper]

It's just an idea at this stage Elaine,come to the meeting next week and fire your ideas at me.

[Shaun]

Just a quick query: Commitments willing (work and holidays) I'm interested in 2 or 3 away games next season (Tranmere, Grimsby, Wrexham) and don't mind paying an extra few quid as non-member of the travel lot, so who would I contact please? Ta.

[Lancaster Branch]

Van Der Nipper. He puts his phone down for approximately 17 minutes every day so you'll get a swift confirmation.

[Shaun]

Cheers Dave.

[optomisticsupporter]

No not yet,but there is a meeting regarding travel next Thursday 8pm in the Ambrose.

Is that Thursday 25th June

[Holkerbird]

Yes the meeting is this Thursday the 25th June. 8pm

[optomisticsupporter]

Thanx Elaine, I think your sexy.

[Holkerbird]

There's still room in the cellar.

[optomisticsupporter]

There's still room in the cellar.

Been in touch with the landlord of the Ambrose tells me your too classy for the cellar so he says you can rent rooms by the hour so I've got one for 10 minutes see you at 7.30 pm.

[Holkerbird]

[John Very Little]

Gotta say that the Trust Travel Meeting (about 20odd there, all of whom are regular away travellers) was a lively one but basically all those in attendance felt the same about the best way forward for next season.

The main point is that the existing Trust Travel Committee should be left to look after things themselves as they have the experience of running the buses and know how things work. Prices for each bus to be done on a game by game basis as happened previously.

One of the main issues for next season is that Clarksons are unable to provide a bus for every game and quotes were received back from Reays and Travellers for the entire season but the prices were ridiculously higher (60-70% in some cases) than we've paid previously with Clarksons. However it was felt that for this reason the buses and hire should be looked at on a month by month basis to get an idea what buses are available from the different operators and for what price. Various operators who couldn't quote for a full season may have buses available for some games but not others whilst it was felt some of the prices quoted by Reays/Travellers may not be as high as initially quoted. A toilet on the bus is an essential.

As costs will be higher it was felt that a separate membership fee should be charged for Trust Travel so regular travellers could travel cheaper and the money raised from this could also subsidise some of the buses that are likely to lose money. It was felt inevitable that buses may not run to every game due to the increased cost and the need to generate extra income was essential. It is proposed putting a vote to the Trust AGM to form a separate Trust Travel Membership. When the fixtures are out next week more bus companies will be spoken to to see what buses are available for the first month(s) of the season and its hoped another meeting will be held then.

I may have missed a few things off but I'm sure others who were there will comment further.

[Uncle Peter]

Gotta say that the Trust Travel Meeting (about 20odd there, all of whom are regular away travellers) was a lively one but basically all those in attendance felt the same about the way forward for next season.

The main point is that the existing Trust Travel Committee should be left to look after things themselves as they have the experience of running the buses and know how things work. Prices for each bus to be done on a game by game basis as happened previously.

One of the main issues for next season is that Clarksons are unable to provide a bus for every game and quotes were received back from Reays and Travellers for the entire season but the prices were ridiculously higher (60-70% in some cases) than we've paid previously with Clarksons. However it was felt that for this reason the buses and hire should be looked at on a month by month basis to get an idea what buses are available from the different operators and for what price. Various operators who couldn't quote for a full season may have buses available for some games but not others whilst it was felt some of the prices quoted by Reays/Travellers may not be as high as initially quoted. A toilet on the bus is an essential.

As costs will be higher it was felt that a separate membership fee should be charged for Trust Travel so regular travellers could travel cheaper and the money raised from this could also subsidise some of the buses that are likely to lose money. It was felt inevitable that buses may not run to every game due to the increased cost and the need to generate extra income was essential. It is proposed putting a vote to the Trust AGM to form a separate Trust Travel Membership.

I may have missed a few things off but I'm sure others who were there will comment further.

Cheers John, and cheers to Stu and Chris for organising this meeting. Its vital we know what folk want.

Just a few observations , if I may.

Firstly, Stu/Chris are left to get on with it, they tell us what we should be charging and update us on bookings etc.

The only thing the wider committee is pushing for is getting buses advertised earlier, and making it easier to book via the website/phone/shop etc. More ways to book, with more advertising to a wider audience means more folk travelling and more buses running. I know towards the end of last season Stu was at the end of his teather, the booking systems were putting in place won't change anything, other than making the lads job easier.

We need to cast our net wider, just advertising on the forum and getting folk to text Stu us great, but we need more folk travelling. We need to be inclusive, not exclusive.

Also, game by game payments was always a given, we just floated some ideas as to whether people would want to buy monthly tickets. Clearly it's not a popular option so we won't bother with that one.

Initially Clarksons declined to even offer us a bus on a game by game basis. That has now changed and if we can secure a bus with a toilet on them then they are the obvious choice.

Regarding the Travel Membership, in principle I think it's a sound idea but how would it work with regards to discounts? Say we charge a tenner for travel membership. We then need to give these folk a discount for their loyalty which then eats into their membership dues. If that makes sense.

That said, we're a democratic entity so what folk want is what folk will get.

Just to be clear, We already run buses over the season on a non profit basis. The Trust has never, and will never, seek to profit from away travel.

The aim is always to simply break even at the end of the season.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[Middleton Nick]

My idea of the travel membership,Pete, would be that members would pay, say a ball park figure of £30 for example for an away trip, whereas others who are not members would pay a couple of quid more.That is the discount for members of the travel club.It would be done in such a way as to not eat into the £10 membership.Anyhow nothing is arranged yet and is just an idea being kicked around.