Saxby – ATCO RESEARCH PAPER – BUS TIMETABLE INFORMATION 1997

Description

This 12-page ATCO Research Paper, “Bus Timetable Information,” authored by Bob Saxby and published in November 1997 (web-posted February 1999), offers a foundational, albeit historical, analysis of public transport timetable design. Building upon earlier DPTAC guidelines, the document systematically reviews existing “good practices” across 64 UK public transport organizations, presenting findings through detailed textual explanations and data tables, without visual imagery. It critically examines aspects such as publication format, validity, updating mechanisms, clock formats, mapping, typefaces, and the use of codes. The paper’s significance lies in its rigorous assessment of the inconsistencies in public transport information presentation at the time and its identification of crucial areas requiring further market research to enhance user experience. Despite its age, it serves as a trustworthy and insightful benchmark for understanding the evolution of public transport information design.