In Tyneside we had a great travel information service on the end of a local telephone number. Next came the national travel line number “0870 608 2608”. This number is changed at a “national rate”, and because it was an 0870 it is not included in most discounted and free call plans. It costs a fortune from my mobile.
After reading an article on the Nexus* web site I learned that the number will be changing to “0871 200 22 33”. This is more expensive still and will not be accessible on some phones where premium rate numbers are blocked.
The number is being changed because “The change to the telephone number was prompted by Ofcom (The Government’s Office of Communications) making changes to the way 0870 numbers are priced.”, or in English “We are making money from the calls you are making to the public service and need to change the number to continue to do so”.
Now the good news. Most 0845, 0870 and 0871 numbers are mapped to a normal telephone number. These numbers are collated by Say No To 0870 and are searchable on there web site. You will need to check for your local number, but in Tyneside I now only need to call 0191 244 5695 and pay no more than the local call charge.
* Nexus is essentially the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive.
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