Rail Timetables under the Spotlight

FDS International has been commissioned by the London Transport Users Committee to carry out a comprehensive study into the ways in which different train operators present timetable information, in a bid to identify which are the most intelligible and effective among rail users.

Some 180 passengers will take part in hall tests, in which their views will be sought on various styles of presentation and they will be asked to carry out simple tasks using different timetables. Depth interviews will be conducted with rail operators and users, including those with disabilities, while FDS will also examine a number of operators' timetables, comparing and contrasting their presentation styles.

The London Transport Users Committee (LTUC) is the official watchdog set up by Parliament to represent the concerns of travellers around London. Commenting on the research, LTUC chair Suzanne May said "We know from long experience the importance that passengers attach to good quality information on the services available to them. A lot of work has been done on the intelligibility of bus information, for example, that has led to a number of innovations on how London Transport presents quite detailed timetable information. Since the demise of British Rail, all of whose pocket timetables were of a similar style and design, a number of quite different presentation styles have emerged, no doubt all with the best of intent. It is not clear, however, just how fit for purpose some of them really are and that is what this research will help us resolve."

FDS director Stephen Link added, "It is clear from the preliminary desk research that we have conducted that there are marked inconsistencies in the way in which individual rail operators present their timetable information and that there is scope to identify best practice with a view to sharing this for the ultimate benefit of rail operators and users alike."

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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