Read & interpret timetables
Theory
To read a timetable, find the stop in the left column, then read across the row to the service you want. Times are in 24-hour form, and journey or waiting times are found by counting on across the hour.
A timetable lists the times services run. Each row is a stop and each column is one service.
A time sits where a stop row meets a service column. To read it, find the stop, then read across to the service.
Times are written in 24-hour form, so \(13{:}00\) is \(1\) pm and \(09{:}15\) is \(15\) minutes past \(9\) am.
After noon, subtract \(12\) from the hours to change 24-hour time into 12-hour time. Before noon the hours are the same.
| 24-hour | 12-hour |
|---|---|
| \(08{:}10\) | 8:10 am |
| \(09{:}15\) | 9:15 am |
| \(12{:}00\) | 12:00 noon |
| \(13{:}45\) | 1:45 pm |
| \(18{:}30\) | 6:30 pm |
How to read and use a timetable
- Find the stop in the left column to pick the row.
- Read across the row to the service column you want.
- For a journey time, count on from the start time to the next hour, then add the minutes past.
- For a waiting time, find the first service after your arrival time and count on to it.
Find the Lakeside row, read down the Bus 2 column.
| Lakeside, Bus 2 | \(=\) | \(08{:}40\) |
| \(08{:}10 \rightarrow 09{:}00\) | \(=\) | \(50\) |
| \(09{:}00 \rightarrow 09{:}05\) | \(=\) | \(5\) |
| \(50 + 5\) | \(=\) | \(55\) min |
Central times: \(08{:}45\), \(09{:}15\), \(10{:}00\). The next is \(09{:}15\).
| \(09{:}05 \rightarrow 09{:}15\) | \(=\) | \(10\) min |
| \(08{:}10 \rightarrow 08{:}40\) | \(=\) | \(30\) min |
Both times are in the same hour.
Common pitfalls
Frequently asked questions
How do you read a value from a timetable?
Find the stop in the left column to choose the row, then read across to the service column. Where the row and column cross is the time.
How do you work out how long a journey takes?
Count on from the start time to the next hour, then add the minutes past. Bus 1 from \(08{:}10\) to \(09{:}05\) is \(50 + 5 = 55\) minutes.
How do you find how long you must wait for a bus?
Find the first service time after you arrive, then count on to it. Arriving at Central at \(09{:}05\), the next bus at \(09{:}15\) is a \(10\) minute wait.
What is 24-hour time?
A way of writing times so morning and afternoon are never confused. Hours run from \(00\) to \(23\); after noon, subtract \(12\) to get the pm time, so \(18{:}30\) is \(6{:}30\) pm.
Why not just subtract the two times?
Because an hour is \(60\) minutes, not \(100\). Subtracting the digits treats time like a decimal and gives the wrong answer. Counting on across the hour keeps it correct.