Doe – SERVICE PLEASE 1988

Description

Barry S. Doe argues strongly for retaining the 24-hour clock in public timetables, criticizing recent reversions to 12-hour (am/pm) formats by some rail and bus operators. He cites confusing examples: Docklands Railway’s odd notation of “00.30am,” Liverpool Lime Street showing both 3.50 and 15.50, and regional inconsistencies over Wessex Rover ticket issuance. Doe’s six-monthly bus timetable directory shows 24-hour usage falling from 85% to 65%, despite full adoption in Scotland and continued use by airlines, ferries, teletext and weather charts. He rejects common pro-am/pm arguments — that the 24-hour clock isn’t spoken or that media didn’t adopt it — noting printed timetables require unambiguous four-figure times. The Radio Times’ ambiguous listings illustrate the problem; a midnight-to-midnight layout with 24-hour times would remove confusion. Conversion is straightforward, and preferences of a minority don’t justify abandoning a clearer system. Doe urges British Rail to resist backward trends and maintain the 24-hour convention.