Dunabin – TIMETABLE TALK 1988

Description

John Dunabin examines the roles and evolution of bus timetables, arguing they serve three functions: pleasure for enthusiasts, practical information for intending passengers, and promotion to stimulate travel. He traces development from neat pocket booklets of the 1920s–30s—varying widely in quality across regions and companies—to wartime constraints and postwar recovery. Improvements in presentation occurred episodically: Index Publishers helped smaller operators; Blythe & Berwick and some NBC companies produced notable timetables; the 1960s brought comprehensive guides and the “New Look” standardised style (including the 24‑hour clock). Rising costs, frequent timing changes and deregulation pushed a shift from durable booklets to leaflets and promotional materials, raising concerns that traditional books may become collectors’ items. A major recent change is the growing role of county councils in compiling and distributing timetable information, producing varied but often high‑quality, comprehensive publications that in many places have replaced earlier local travel guides.