Knowles – REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE PREPARED ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF DISTRICT COUNCILS ON TIMETABLE LAYOUT AND PUBLICITY PRESENTATION 1984

Description

This May 1984 Lancaster City Council report summarizes responses from 45 municipal bus operators on timetable layout, publicity and roadside displays. It finds wide variation in presentation—page sizes (A5 to pocket and larger), formats (vertical, horizontal, mixed), mapping and stop displays—and only 11 operators backed a single national standard. Many operators recently revised formats to improve coverage, publicity or public understanding; a minority changed to cut costs or meet county requirements. There is a clear shift from 24-hour to 12-hour time: of 32 users of the 24-hour clock, 20 consider it harder for the public and nine switched to 12-hour in the past five years. Maps are widely regarded as helpful; about half charge for timetables. Most provide roadside timetables though vandalism limits some displays. Operators want better display cases, clearer chronological timetables, fares, maps, route details and contact information; some suggested electronic/illuminated displays. Financial constraints limit improvements and adoption of higher-quality printing; local variation discourages a universal standard. Replies from independent and NBC operators were also reviewed.