Travel next season

[The Real Slim Azza]

Ive just posted this so the thread makes it to page 9

[Kieran]

The difference I see between the ISC and the Trust Travel is one of priorities regarding cost.
Whilst the ISC was soley concerned with travel, the TT is part of a bigger picture who have responsibilities (and funding) for the general focus of the group.

Looking back over the past few seasons the ISC did a magnificent job of getting us to games when there was a hard core of 18 to 25 travellers. The odd time there just wasn't the numbers to run a coach but they mainly got us to as many as they could whilst subsidising some that were under subscribed.

Despite this they had a healthy pot of money in the bank ( a few thousand but do not know how much was actually handed over) which was handed over to the Trust when the ISC disbanded. I thought this money would be a buffer for covering travel that wasn't making a profit. However I was left to believe that it had gone into the general Trust coffers.
As the season wore on it was disconcerting to hear reports, maybe unfounded rumours I don't know, that the Trust were complaining about the cost of the travel and they were running out of money, and, when a second bus was provided that lost money were unhappy about that.

This coming season we are going to be embarking on some epic journeys and I know a few of the regular, older fans won't be going to those games and those people will be a loss as they were the mainstay when things were going badly for us.
I enjoy the away games and it was never a great worry that coaches wouldn't be available providing we kept the 18 to 25 regulars on board.

This coming season will be a bench mark perhaps of how interested fans are in attending away games and if they stay interested if things are not going as well as some hope.
Time will tell but let's hope it is a successful time for the club and we can give our support both home and away.

Thats probably the most sensible post there has been on the last few pages of this thread.

As someone who was involved with the ISC up until the start of its last season, and has now been involved with the trust I can honestly say that nothing has changed in terms of how things are looked at financially. There has been discussions in the past where perhaps those who have been involved with the ISC and have the experience of running buses have used that experience to point things out to the wider trust committee but thats what you would expect to happen and the wider committee has been accepting of those points. Those on the trust committee are committed to running as many buses to as many away games as possible in just the same way the ISC were, the ISC made a small profit season upon season just as Trust Travel has done this year and if that continues then there is no issue. I would just repeat the statement that has been made several times on this thread which is that when looking at costings the trust is viewing it in the context of the whole season just as the ISC used to, therefore if we lose money on one bus that isn't an issue as long as its subsidised by other buses. These are the facts, any rumours flying around to the contrary are just that and shouldn't be listened to and I'm honestly at a loss as to why people think there is an issue.

The only single issue that has caused a problem and put the possibility of running buses to as many games in danger is that Clarksons initially said they wouldn't be able to take us this season. That meant getting prices elsewhere and potential costs subsequently increased significantly, but that would have been an issue either way whether it were the ISC or the trust running things. Hopefully we might now be able to sort something out with Clarksons that means we can continue using them.

[Holkerbird]

Very thoughtful of you a former member of this forum, so thanks.
Going for page 10 now.

[spirit of 1990]

I wonder how many times the people who are doing the trust travel side of things have to repeat themselves before some people actually let their comments sink in? It's getting beyond stupid now.

Also, as someone who knows very little of how the ISC have operated in previous seasons I tend to very much stay out of TT issues (as do most of the other steering group members) and leave it to those who know what they'red doing regarding the travel. I certainly wouldn't be voting for anything against what people like Stu, Kieran & Chris are recommending & I don't think any other SG member would either.

[Holkerbird]

As you say Ian you don't travel.

[spirit of 1990]

As you say Ian you don't travel.

And?

I quite rightly pointed out Elaine that the people who had nothing to do with the ISC previously have virtually no input (through choice) in travel matters, I mentioned that because some people seem to think that we do.
Pete seems to be getting a bit of grief simply because he's the one posting a few ideas (thats all they are...ideas) but as has been said time & time again.....it's the same lads making all the major desicions.

I just don't get that people don't understand that!

[Holkerbird]

Ian you say "I certainly wouldn't be voting for anything against what people like Stu, Kieran & Chris are recommending & I don't think any other SG member would either". "it's the same lads making all the major desicions".

As you say you don't travel on the coaches so it would be immaterial to you I should imagine but saying you wouldn't be voting against the above mentioned seems to imply that there are those who would.
I don't recall anyone saying they would be voting either one way or the other. I think it is healthy that questions are being raised, and hopefully answers given to satisfy those who do use the coaches.

The crux of the matter and the point some of the coach users are trying to make is this:
The ISC money was solely for Travel purposes.
The Trust Travel money appears to be going into a general fund. Will it then be used for other purposes and have an impact on the availability of coaches if money gets tight?
It was suggested at the meeting the travel money should be ring fenced and not go into a general fund and then a donation made at the end of the season to the Trust. We could pay for a separate membership so the burden isn't on the Trust so much.
Anyway these things will be discussed at the AGM I expect.

This is no criticism of anyone and I hope it isn't taken that way. We simply want what is best for getting to away games with the minimum of fuss.

[spirit of 1990]

In reply Elaine, and this will be my last post on this because as I say I'm happy (unlike some) for the people who know what they're doing to run the travel as they have done successfully for years. I feel some people are just picking, being bitchy or in some cases dropping in sneaky little digs at individuals and I've no idea why when people are just doing their best and at the end want exactly the same as you or any other supporter.

As you say you don't travel on the coaches so it would be immaterial to you I should imagine but saying you wouldn't be voting against the above mentioned seems to imply that there are those who would.

I didn't imply any such thing, This is what I said, and I did add "through choice" for a reason. It's also NOT immaterial to me, I want the travel section to be as successful as it's always been....that benefits everyone then.

I quite rightly pointed out Elaine that the people who had nothing to do with the ISC previously have virtually no input (through choice)

I think it is healthy that questions are being raised, and hopefully answers given to satisfy those who do use the coaches.

Nothing wrong at all in asking questions but the same questions are being asked over & over with the same replies so how we end up satisfying the people who just don't seem to get it.....I don't know.
I just hope it all gets sorted and you can all travel to as many games as possible.

[Holkerbird]

There are those who say you don't get it as well Ian. Having a different viewpoint doesn't make it wrong.
See you at the AGM where it wil all begin again probably.

[Steelworks End]

No posts for over 24 hours?

What is happening? We need to know.

[Cubbins Paratrooper]

Looks like somebody has parked the bus, John.

[Kieran]

There are those who say you don't get it as well Ian.

What exactly is it that you don't think Ian "gets" Elaine? Genuine question.

Its been explained time and again how things work, how decisions are made, who makes them and what their motivations are. Yet some don't seem to want to hear that and instead seem hell bent on sniping about it.

[Holkerbird]

Kieran, why is ok for the trust people to say we don't get it but as soon as I repeated what Ian had said to me I am accused of sniping?

I have stated that it is not a criticism of anyone and I have given the reason for my (and others who aren't on the forum) misgivings.
Mainly the Trust have other priorities for the money going into the fund, the ISC was solely for travel and the money did not go into a bigger pot. Therefore we had a sum of money to fall back on and subsidise buses without it affecting any other project.
That's it and I hope you understand what I mean.
The bystanders must be loving this thread, especially those who revived it after it had moved down the pecking order but as you asked a question I have answered it and given my reasons. Whether you agree or not I am entitled as a member to have my say without being accused of sniping.

[Kieran]

I do see what you're saying Elaine, but the point has been made several times that buses will continue to be subsidised just as they were with the ISC. I think that was what Ian meant when he said people don't get it, because that point has been made over and over (at least thats how I understand what Ian was getting at anyway).

Maybe accusing you of sniping was OTT so apologies if you took offence. But I'm genuinely at a loss as to why people think there is an issue when everything has been answered several times. Its getting to the point where I'm wondering if people have got some sort of other anti-trust agenda, but then I'm puzzled as to why that would be the case.

[Holkerbird]

It will be sorted at the AGM I expect and we will see how the buses are this coming season although it won't be a fair comparison due to longer journey's and probably older people not being able to face the round trips like we did 6/7 years ago therefore affecting the numbers for the buses. Also more expensive journeys too. We were paying £30/£35 6/7 years ago for those long trips to Eastbourne, Torquay and Lewes.