Dunabin – NEW TIMETABLES 1965

Description

The Omnibus Magazine review evaluates recent timetable redesigns by BET and nationalised companies, highlighting substantial moves toward standardisation and clearer passenger guidance. Adoption of the 24-hour clock remains controversial, but page sizes largely conform to Tilling standards and presentation has been unified: readable type, uncluttered tables, and often a single table per page. Indexing has improved markedly, with most villages listed and sub-indexes to principal towns, reducing confusing cross-referencing. Route maps show mixed progress—some operators replaced poor diagrams with better maps, while others removed maps altogether; quality varies and good maps are costly. Positive examples include Western SMT, Midland Red, Western Welsh, Crosville, North Western, Red & White, Lancashire United, MacBraynes, Consett and Venture, the latter adding attractive design and information on services run by independents. Remaining weaknesses are inconsistent inclusion of competing or connecting services and variation in pricing/value. A footnote notes Bradford and West Yorkshire later adopted the new style, though some independents were omitted.