Greater Manchester Transport – STUDY OF CUSTOMER ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE LAYOUT & DISPLAY OF RAILWAY TIMETABLES 1985

Description

A 1985 field study (1,000 respondents, including 227 local rail users) compared a local Train Guide style timetable with the comprehensive British Rail timetable. Users preferred the Guide for local journeys because it was clearer, easier to read, and used larger, better-ordered print; the British Rail timetable was valued for wider route coverage and detail on longer or cross-boundary trips. Many wanted full journey information only for longer trips and local detail for short ones. Understanding of common timetable abbreviations was poor—many misinterpreted symbols (e.g., Saturday-only vs non-Saturday services); respondents favored some alternative abbreviations (SO over S) but were mixed on others (SX). The report recommends clearer headings, more intuitive abbreviations, and tailoring detail by journey type. The file compiles 1985–86 local timetable extracts, notices and correspondence for Greater Manchester and nearby areas, notes service-altering engineering works (notably bridge reconstructions near Birmingham with diversions and replacement buses), passenger offers, disabled travel assistance, and contact information, plus internal plans for locally produced Train Guides.