MBL – GUIDELINE DEVELOPMENT FOR LONDON TRANSPORT BUS TIMETABLE LEAFLETS 1999

Description

The 1999 qualitative study for London Transport Buses found low awareness and limited use of timetable leaflets, which passengers treat mainly as short-term route or journey planners rather than strict timetables. Five focus groups highlighted the importance of a route plan above timetables for orientation and connection to A–Z maps; zone markings and recognizable landmarks (e.g. the Thames) aid navigation. Recommended timetable design: a cleaner, less cluttered layout consistent with bus-stop and web presentations; a mix of actual times for first/last and infrequent/night services with honest frequency statements for regular routes; larger fonts and selective colour for day headings. Short-term leaflets should be compact and functional, while higher-quality, glossy formats serve as longer-term household references. Users prefer LTB-style plain backgrounds, clear route lines, prominent route numbers and the London Transport identity; excessive colour or promotional imagery confuses wayfinding. Important service changes need additional channels (door drops, stop info, radio, internet). Useful extras: fares, pass vendors, zones and a 24-hour info number; limited non-obstructive advertising is acceptable.