I sent the following to Lancs C C;-

Re your point, "Traveline was established in 2000 following a requirement from the Department for Transport (DfT) to create a national network of Traveline call centres using a single telephone number platform (0870). The 0870 608 2 608 number, originally used in Lancashire for transport enquiries, was chosen as it was a national number that was able to be routed geographically to the nearest Traveline call centre and was also able to create a small national income stream that would pay for the use of the number and generate a rebate to pay for the national management of Traveline along with small rebates to the regions throughout the UK and for future developments, for example a national SMS service and website."

If it was a requirement, why do PTEs like Travel South Yorkshire and Metro, along with Transport for London (not sure if this is a PTE) use normal geographic numbers? Is it possible that they realise that using a non-geographic number is a total rip-off for their customers and so prefer to use a normal geographic number which people know will cost a certain amount of money for them (even be free in some cases).

Please supply me, under the FOIA, with the geographical telephone number that the expensive 0871 number is pointed at, please do not inform me that this number does not exist, as it is the way these numbers operate and does exist.




Result! Received the following from Lancashire County Council;-


Dear Mr. ******

South Yorkshire PTE and Metro have used their local numbers for many years prior to the 0870 number being established. They decided to retain their numbers on the basis that this is the number that people were aware of in this area. However, they also handle Traveline calls on 0870 and now 0871; and if you dial this number in the local area you will be connected to the South Yorkshire or Metro Call Centre.

Prior to 2000 Lancashire did not have a single transport enquiry facility. In 1999 the 0870 number was developed to allow people from all over Lancashire to be routed to their nearest County Information Centre. This created a single point of entry into the information network from throughout the County, therefore not requiring different numbers from every town in the County. This number was then chosen as the national number as it was proved to work effectively.

As public transport in London has not been deregulated, the situation is different; and although the Capital has a long established call centre with a well used local number, this also handles Traveline calls that are geographically routed if you call on the 0870/0871 platform.

In relation to your enquiry made under the Freedom of Information Act, we are able to advise you that the geographical number in respect of Traveline in Lancashire is (01772) 849100.

We trust that you find this informative, but in the event that you are unhappy with our response for any reason, please write to The Freedom of Information Officer, Lancashire County Council, PO Box 78, County Hall, Preston PR1 8XJ, or email freedomofinformation@lancashire.gov.uk

derrick wrote on Sep 29^th, 2007 at 10:57am:

I've moved this to the verified list now. 

Great we have the Lancashire one now.  There are still some missing though:

Cumbria: 01946 (Based in Whitehaven)
South East, South West and East Anglia - all based in Plymouth! (01752).
Traveline Cymru is based in Morthmadog, and is an 01766 number, but I know no more than that. 

Thanks.