I imagine a regular T.V. series is like gold dust for a zoo. MonkeyWorld have benefited hugely I know. Most(not all though) major UK zoos seem to have been able to get coverage of this type at some stage.
UK city zoos: do they have a future?
- Thread starter Panthera1981
- Start date
I imagine a regular T.V. series is like gold dust for a zoo. MonkeyWorld have benefited hugely I know. Most(not all though) major UK zoos seem to have been able to get coverage of this type at some stage.
Realistically, for most of our zoos, visitors who arrive by public transport are a small (in some cases tiny) minority. The long-term future of Bristol will be determined by how full a car park it has, not on its bus links.
Sad. But, I fear, true.
(And I speak as someone who often visits zoos by public transport. Twycross was a challenge, involving four trains, four railway stations and a bicycle!)
taun
Well-Known Member
True its why the discussion on electric cars came up. And why I added to the debate, I would love to go electric with the car but to me its not beneficial yet to do so. Limited range, what do you do the batteries? surely costs the same in carbon emissions to a combustion engine to make.
TBH all major zoos should be looking to improve transport links, encourage the use of public transport.
When I went to the RSPB Birdfair, a minibus made frequent journeys to and from Oakham railway station. I suppose it was paid for from the entrance fee. Some zoos are not easily accessible by public transport. Perhaps zoos could run a similar minibus service, perhaps charging a small fee for each journey.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
This is a very simplistic statement - please explain (without the help of local politicians and with the opposition of the Highways Agency), just HOW this is to be achieved?
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
This is a stand-alone event with a large footfall and just one local railway station - so is not comparable with a zoo which open all year and a footfall spread over 363 days, and with a circular catchment including several towns and cities...
taun
Well-Known Member
Off course it is, this is a forum not a town planning meeting.
Considering climate change is linked to conservation because it directly affects some specials. Zoos should be using this message to ask their visitors to look at using other forms of transport than cars. Not seen this message really pushed. Offer discounts for using public transport, offer incentives for those going green.
On improving transport links that for each zoo to talk with their councils. Not one size will fit all and each have their unique challenges.
I remember when Paradise Zoo, Broxbourne, offered a minibus service that would pick up people from Broxbourne Station. Not everyone has a car, nor can many people afford to pay for a taxi, never mind being able to walk for long distances.
The reality of getting to a zoo by public transport :
My local zoo 6 miles away, 10 minute drive.
By public transport 2 buses, including the walk and waiting for a second bus, well over 2 hours and at least 25 miles travelling!
The only zoo I ever visit by public transport is London by train
My local zoo 6 miles away, 10 minute drive.
By public transport 2 buses, including the walk and waiting for a second bus, well over 2 hours and at least 25 miles travelling!
The only zoo I ever visit by public transport is London by train
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Presumably this is an attempt at side-stepping my request to justify your statement.
How do they look at something which is not there
How can discounts be offered for something that doesn't exist.
Ha-ja-ha...
I think you should be really be commenting in the 'Fantasy' section. Some of us live in the real world...
I believe Taun was being aspirational, essential if we are to cope with climate change. In any event things can change rapidly, as any review of transport history over the last 200 years will show. The conveyances we will use in 20 or 30 years time most probably don’t exist yet.
Unfortunately @Andrew Swales, like myself is just being realistic! Sadly a lot of the rail network was closed in the UK in the early 1960s (a poor government decision with hindsight) and bus services are not economical for the operators, even with local government subsidy! Public transport in the UK is largely hopeless if you want to get to some zoos ( other than Shepreth with its own station!).
RE. transport to zoos...., I know that not everyone is able to, but shouldn't those of us that can just cycle to our local zoo when convenient? If we really care about all the things the zoos we love stand for then we should do our bit when we can. My local, Paignton zoo, have a great lock up area for bicycles and the staff in the entrance area always make it as easy for me as they can to do it. I'd like to see zoos in the next decade or two being given support to run electric buses (when the tech is available more cheaply) to collect zoo visitors from major hubs. This puts the conservation & environmental message into practice.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Whether you call it 'aspiration'or 'fantasy'' it does not have much to do with our day-to-day lives, personal choices or business decisions.
Of course I agree with your general point and I hope in our case at least we are punching well above our weight when it comes to putting some of the theories/aspirations/fantasies into practice.
Welsh Mountain Zoo do/did a similar thing from Colwyn Bay station. Very useful.
Some years ago Chester funded a dedicated bus service from Chester station.
It can be done if the zoo chooses to prioritise it.
At one time there was a discounted rate at Chester if you produced a valid rail ticket. (Makes sense, car parking facilities cost money)
On my last visit to the Welsh Mountain zoo (in May 2018) there was still a free minibus service from Colwyn Bay train station(hell of a long walk without it). Chester on the other hand haven't had a minibus service for a number of years but anyone that doesn't drive would have to take a 40 minute roughly bus journey and I had to get the train as well back in 2010 so you may have to travel to the city to get a connecting bus which makes a long day.
You're right, Shavingtonzoo. If people can't get to the zoo, They can't pay the entrance fee, nor use the shops and eating facilities. Zoos have lost so much money this year that some need to develop more innovative ideas to get more people to visit.
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Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Why prioritise it? It would be prioritising massive losses.
We sit pretty much equidistant from Huntingdon, Peterborough, Kettering, Cambridge... 4 railway stations = 4 (mini)busses at £20,000 each + 8 drivers minimum = to sit and wait for perhaps no-one to turn up, perhaps too many to fit into a load.
? How can this make money?
There has to be a reason why all (or practically all, if not actually all) the examples given are in the past tense, and the idea has been abandoned.
I realise that sometimes, practical realities do not fit in with many of the fantasy ideas on here; but just because a point continues to be ignored, doesnt make it wrong.
Chester haven't had a minibus for some years which hints at one thing to me - the economics didn't pay. Mustn't have been used enough.
As discussed above, although it is a fact some people don't drive, the proportion of visitors that arrive by means other than car or coach to most UK zoos must be very small. That is a fact of life in this country. I suspect it would only ever cost money for any business to try to plug gaps in the public transport network.
EDIT, Andrew beat me to it while I was typing
As discussed above, although it is a fact some people don't drive, the proportion of visitors that arrive by means other than car or coach to most UK zoos must be very small. That is a fact of life in this country. I suspect it would only ever cost money for any business to try to plug gaps in the public transport network.
EDIT, Andrew beat me to it while I was typing