Legibility of Bus Timetable Books and Leaflets
A Code of Good Practice

Contents

• Introduction
• Print and Paper
• Layout
• Timetable Books and Leaflets
• Periods of Operation
• Timetables at Stops
• DPTAC Contact Point

Introduction

This document sets out a code of good practice for legibility in timetable books and leaflets.

Passengers need to be able to read and understand timetables if they are to use the services provided. The factors governing legibility are the same for everyone but visually impaired people will find that even a small improvement in legibility will be of great help. A 1995 survey of RNIB members found that 87 per cent "strongly agreed" that timetables are printed too small, thus making public transport difficult to use.

An estimated minimum of 250,000 people in Great Britain have a partial, but nonetheless disabling, loss of vision which cannot be corrected by ordinary spectacles. This includes many elderly people whose vision is failing through age, and for whom public passenger transport can be a lifeline if they are to retain their independence of mobility. For millions more, the task of reading certain documents timetables in particular becomes more arduous as life progresses beyond middle age, even with the help of spectacles.

Timetable clarity and consistency of presentation is important for all passengers. Well produced and clear timetables, readily available, are essential for commercial success.

Print and Paper

Print Style and Size
Print should be in an upright sans serif typeface of medium weight, with simple but clear character definition. Light print should be avoided. Type should be set in the largest size that circumstances will allow, with a minimum of 8 point. Lower case print is much easier to read and should be used almost exclusively. Clear numerals are very important, in particular to avoid confusion between numbers such as 6 and 8, or 3 and 5. Legibility depends upon text spacing.

Paper
Good quality paper should be used to minimise "shadow" from the opposite side. Thin, flimsy, glossy or coated paper should not be used. Avoid dark coloured paper; if colour is used, pastel tones are essential. Pale yellow is the best alternative to white.

Print Colour
Print should be black. If it is absolutely necessary to use other colours, intense blue or brown are acceptable alternatives, but red and green should be avoided.

Background
Grey shading and coloured tints, other than pale yellow, should be avoided.

Page Size
The most popular size is A5, which is also the largest size that can be readily carried. The standards set out in this Code of Practice can be met in a 21 column landscape format, and should be adhered to even when smaller page sizes are used.

Layout

Route Number
This should always be in large bold print, preferably at the top right hand corner of the page, as it is the first thing the reader will be seeking. If the timetable is in a landscape (horizontal) format it may help to repeat the number at the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Route Heading
This should be confined to the most important places on the route. No route should be shown as a complete heading unless it is served by at least one throughout journey each way.

Route numbers and headings may be reversed out of a boldly coloured panel so long as a strong tonal contrast is provided.

Operators' Names
Operators' names should be included above each table where more than one operator's services are covered. Their information telephone number(s) and opening times should appear at the bottom of the table.

Routeing
Long lists of streets covered by each route may be a waste of space. Clear line diagrams showing principal points served may be of more help. They are particularly useful to show routes which split into two or more sections or operate around a loop, and to indicate where "hail and ride" applies.

Too many route variations should not be included in one timetable. Use separate tables with a summary to back up a common section of route.

Days of the Week
Where the days of operation follow in sequence for each route, they should appear immediately below the route heading as follows, in a typeface larger than that used for the timing points:

Mondays to Fridays in bold lower case:	Mondays to Fridays
Saturdays in reversed lower case: Sundays in lower case boxed:

Where appropriate, Mondays to Saturdays should appear in the same style as Mondays to Fridays.

The terms Weekdays and Weekends should not be used. If a service runs on selected days only add, eg: Mondays and Thursdays only.

If there is no service on a Sunday (or any other day) a clear statement to that effect should be made. If a service on other days or at certain times is provided by another operator details should be given if possible. If not, a statement such as "service operated by Whites Buses (0161 233 0001) on Sundays" should be included.

24 Hour Clock
The 24 hour clock is now universal for rail and flight times and should be used in bus and coach timetables for consistency and ease of understanding. An explanatory diagram can be included if thought necessary. In those cases where the 12 hour clock is used, however, the PM timings should appear in bold print.

Timing Points
Avoid having too many; for longer routes aim for points between seven and ten minutes apart, allowing for the fact that principal points must be included and the need to define the route followed. Use lower case letters, with terminals and principal points in bold. Where separate arrival and departure times are to be shown at one place the name should be repeated. Times should read down a vertical column, never up.

Guidelines
A horizontal line should be provided across the timetable page, preferably below every third line, to act as a guide. Horizontal lines for every line of times should be avoided. Vertical columns should always be clearly separated from adjacent times by "white space". Vertical lines should not be used unless they have a particular purpose for example to separate blocks of times relating to different days of the week. Where segregation is needed, for example to allow for "at these minutes past each hour", blank column spacing is more effective.

Journeys after midnight should be shown at the end of the table, unless buses run all night.

It is clearer to use the term "... then at these minutes past each hour ...", with the minutes set out, followed by "... until ..." and the time of the last bus to adhere to that pattern, rather than "at the same minutes past each hour" or "then every XX minutes", unless the frequency is ten minutes or less throughout the whole length of the route.

Notes and Reference Codes
Codes should be kept to an absolute minimum and should be used consistently in all tables. A key should be included at the foot of each table, or a note should indicate where one can be found. Days of the week should be shown as M T W Th F S Su.

Other standard codes should include:

C for change of vehicle/connecting service; N for not (as a prefix) eg: NSD for not schooldays; NTh for not Thursdays, etc; O for only (as a suffix) eg: SuO for Sundays only, etc; SDO for schooldays only. These letter codes should not be used for any other purpose.

If other letters are used they should indicate the same thing on all pages of the table concerned. The letters I, O and V should not be used as they are easily confused with the figures one and zero or with arrow heads used to denote continuation of timings from another column.

Symbols or graphic codes should be used on a selective basis. They are particularly useful to denote rail stations.

Where a note or symbol applies to a single timing it should be shown to the right of it in bold type.

Timetable Books and Leaflets

Covers
The cover of any book or leaflet should make it clear that it is a timetable, avoiding words like "Guide". On leaflets covering specific services, the route number(s) and principal places served should be set out clearly on the front at the top.

Covers may illustrate local attractions or be used to advertise new facilities or buses, but the area covered and date of issue should remain clear. Changes in design and colour can be used to identify different areas and draw attention to new issues.

Layout and Index
All pages should read in the same direction, eg: indexes, page lists, travel conditions, should be set in "landscape" format if timetable pages are. Always justify to the left. Avoid long paragraphs and do not split text around illustrations. Do not fill a page with print good spacing is important for clarity.

Follow routes in sequence by route number order. Where routes are grouped together in one timetable out of sequence (eg: 175 and 275) the full heading with a cross reference should be included where each number would fall in sequence. Use of the same route number by one or more operators for different services in any given area must be avoided.

Maps
A map should be included in all timetable leaflets to show the route covered and connections to other services. Timetable books should incorporate a detailed route map (which may also be available separately) and town plans which indicate the location of bus and coach terminals and other stopping places. Ideally, the stop names should be shown. Important local features, railway lines and stations should also be included to provide a comprehensive source of public transport information.

Other Information
Include a summary of the principal route and service changes made since the last book or leaflet was issued.

Take advantage of any empty space at the bottom of a page to convey related information such as other services with which the route connects, special ticket details or operation under contract to a funding authority.

Local rail service timetables or summaries should also be included to give comprehensive public transport information.

Add useful information in timetable books, so people know where to contact for more information, how to use the timetable, and how to keep it up to date.

Include advice on the availability of timetable information in alternative formats (eg: cassette tape, Braille or by Minicom).

Periods of Operation

Include the date when a particular timetable started and, wherever possible, the duration of validity. On leaflets this is especially valuable, and it also assists if the leaflet states what it is replacing. Where timetable books are published on a regular basis an indication of when the next edition is due can help. A regular updating service is essential.

Seasonal variations can be very confusing. It is preferable to display separate tables boldly headed, such as Until 31 August 1996 or from 1 September 1996.

Give the dates of schooldays, especially for main term times, whenever they are known in advance. In some areas it may be necessary to indicate that school dates are unknown or may change; in such cases a telephone enquiry number should be quoted.

Do not use "until further notice" unless precise details can be given as to when and how such notice will be given.

Timetables at Stops

Although this Code of Practice does not specifically deal with timetable displays at bus stops, the same general principles apply. An enlarged version will normally be required at stops because passengers of differing heights will not all be able to get as close to a fixed stop display, and lighting levels may be poor. Where timetables are enlarged for specific purposes, care should be taken to avoid the loss of thin lines and lightweight type. Section 6(2) of "Accessible Public transport Infrastructure Guidelines for the Design of Interchanges, Terminals and Stops" (available from the DETR Mobility and Inclusion Unit 020 7944 8011) sets out guidelines for service information at bus stops.

Lists of bus departure times, combined with route diagrams and running times, may be adequate at stops served by short and frequent local routes, but full timetables are essential if longer distance passengers are to be able to see their arrival times and the times of return journeys. Dark colours should not be used to "highlight" times from the stop as this may obscure the most important information.

DPTAC Contact Point

DPTAC Secretariat
Zone 1/14
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR

Tel: 020 7944 8011 & 020 7944 8013
Fax: 020 7944 6998
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Updated: 9 November 2000

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