FDS International Ltd – OUT AND ABOUT GUIDE 2003

Description

A April 2003 user test (278 hall interviews, six depth interviews) of a revised “Out & About” Combined Transport Guide for Mitcham/Tooting/Wimbledon found broadly positive reactions: most users consider it useful, clear and comprehensive, with good maps and colour, and it improves perceptions of TfL. Practical testing showed strong route-finding (83% located the correct bus; 78% gave the correct Sunday frequency for route 200), yet about four in ten found the guide not easy to use. Key issues were an unclear index, difficulty following routes through spider maps and across the central street plan, poor map-to-timetable linkage (45% found linkage hard), and confusing colour-coding since 41 routes cannot each have a unique colour. Recommendations include a clearly titled conventional index, on-map instructions to timetable pages, improved visual continuity of route lines, and consistent colouring or hatching. Usage intent was high (95% would keep a copy; 66% would seek one out); ratings show 53% very useful, 37% fairly useful, and mean perceived retail value £1.23. The guide also combines local shopping/leisure listings, ticketing and contact info, timetables, walking/cycling promotion, and tech and customer-service details.