Paine – TIME TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK 1979

Description

The author praises London Underground’s clear directional signage but criticizes bus and wider public-transport information as confusing and inadequate. With growing vehicle, staff and fuel shortages, passengers need honest, accessible updates on cancellations and service reductions; local radio has begun to provide this, despite some operators’ reluctance to ‘air deficiencies’. New TV-based information systems and telephone inquiry centres offer further opportunities, yet transport authorities have been slow to adapt. The traditional timetable is condemned as written by insiders for insiders: the mandatory 24-hour clock and complex two-dimensional tables confuse many users—research suggests under 40% are comfortable with 24-hour notation and over 35% cannot read timetables. The author urges a rethink: simpler formats (one-dimensional lists, village timetables or small booklets), clearer on-stop displays, and better use of radio, TV and telephone. He calls for 1980 to be the year public transport delivers clear, readily available information to regain passenger confidence.