FDS International – STOP SPECIFIC TIMETABLES 2001

Description

In October 2001 London Buses commissioned research to assess reactions to new Stop Specific timetables, which present bus times and frequencies in an easier-to-read format. FDS International conducted 422 face-to-face interviews with bus users (including tourists) at Victoria Bus Station during daytime and dusk, split between day and night bus users, plus ten in-depth interviews. Key findings: roughly half of customers rarely or never use timetables (48% day, 52% night), with day users showing a clear preference for the Stop Specific timetables while night users were evenly split. The new format was valued for readability and perceived reliability; supporters of traditional timetables preferred their greater precision. Research identified usability issues—especially unclear representation of termination points (only one-third correctly identified the terminus for the 73 at assigned times). A qualitative probe suggested a maximum acceptable stated frequency exists and that a 15-minute interval would likely be acceptable to most day users, but further quantitative research is needed.