Timetables
A timetable shows when each bus, train, tram or ferry leaves or reaches every stop. This NSW Year 7 maths subtopic consolidates primary-school skills using Australian-style timetables written in 24-hour time.
You will follow one service down its column, find how long a trip takes by counting on, choose the next service or the latest one that arrives in time, work out the wait for a connection, and use a pattern to fill in missing times. Getting to school, the zoo or the beach by bus, train or ferry works this way. This subtopic is part of Year 7 Ratios, Rates and Time.
Every question with a fully worked solution.
- Timetables - Video - How to Read Timetables Watch
Theory
A timetable is a table that shows when a bus, train, tram or ferry leaves or arrives at each stop. Each row is a stop and each column is one service. This Year 7 maths page shows how to read down a column, count on to find a trip time, and choose the right service.
Rows and columns. Each row is a stop. Each column is one bus or train (a service). To follow one trip, find its time in the first row, then read down its column.
24-hour time. Most timetables use 24-hour time. For a pm time, add \(12\) to the hour: 4:50 pm \(=\) 16:50.
How long is the trip? Count on from the start time to the next o’clock, then to the end time, and add the pieces. Do not subtract clock times like whole numbers.
Which service? The next service is the first time at or after the time you are at the stop. For the latest service that arrives by a time, work backwards along the arrival row, then read up the column. For a connection, the wait is from when you arrive to when the next service leaves.
Patterns. Services often leave at equal gaps and take the same time, so a pattern lets you fill in a missing time.
A bus timetable (each bus leaves the City \(15\) min after the one before, and every trip takes \(24\) min):
| Stop | Bus 1 | Bus 2 | Bus 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| City | 07:33 | 07:48 | 08:03 |
| Park Road | 07:42 | 07:57 | 08:12 |
| Hill Street | 07:50 | 08:05 | 08:20 |
| Shopping Centre | 07:57 | 08:12 | 08:27 |
How to use a timetable
- Find your starting stop (row) and the right service (column).
- Read down the column to your stop.
- Count on to find how long the trip takes.
- For a deadline, work backwards along the arrival row first.
(i) What time does Tram 2 reach Harbour?
(ii) Mia gets to the Surf Street stop at 07:10. Which is the next tram?
(iii) Where is Tram 1 at 07:20?
| Stop | Tram 1 | Tram 2 | Tram 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach South | 06:52 | 07:07 | 07:22 |
| Surf Street | 07:03 | 07:18 | 07:33 |
| Harbour | 07:15 | 07:30 | 07:45 |
| Station | 07:41 | 07:56 | 08:11 |
(i) Read down the Tram 2 column: 07:30.
(ii) 07:03 has gone; the next is Tram 2 at 07:18.
(iii) Tram 1 is at Harbour at 07:15 and Station at 07:41, so it is between Harbour and Station.
| Station | Train 1 | Train 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Central | 14:18 | 15:18 |
| River Park | 14:45 | 15:45 |
| Valley | 15:13 | 16:13 |
| Lookout | 16:15 | 17:15 |
2:45 pm \(=\) 14:45, which is Train 1. It reaches Lookout at 16:15. Count on: 14:45 \(\to\) 15:00 is \(15\) min, 15:00 \(\to\) 16:00 is \(60\) min, 16:00 \(\to\) 16:15 is \(15\) min.
| \(15 + 60 + 15\) | \(=\) | \(90\) |
\(90\) min \(= 1\) h \(30\) min
(i) What is the latest bus she can catch from Port?
(ii) How early is she?
| Stop | Bus 1 | Bus 2 | Bus 3 | Bus 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port | 07:25 | 07:42 | 07:55 | 08:12 |
| Bay View | 07:47 | 08:04 | 08:17 | 08:34 |
| City Busport | 08:12 | 08:29 | 08:42 | 08:59 |
(i) She must arrive by 09:00 \(- 12\) min \(=\) 08:48. Along the City Busport row: Bus 4 arrives at 08:59 (too late); Bus 3 arrives at 08:42 (in time). Read up the Bus 3 column: 07:55.
(ii) 08:42 \(+ 12\) min \(=\) 08:54, which is \(6\) min before 09:00.
(i) The 07:55 bus
(ii) \(6\) minutes early
(i) How long does Ruby wait at Hillside?
(ii) How long is her whole trip?
| Station | Train 1 | Train 2 |
|---|---|---|
| City | 08:18 | 08:48 |
| Hillside | 09:17 | 09:47 |
(i) She reaches Hillside at 09:47. The 09:45 bus has just left, so she catches the 10:15 bus: \(13\) min to 10:00, then \(15\) min.
(ii) The bus arrives at 10:15 \(+ 25\) min \(=\) 10:40. Count on from 08:48: \(12 + 60 + 40\).
| \(13 + 15\) | \(=\) | \(28\) |
| \(12 + 60 + 40\) | \(=\) | \(112\) |
(i) \(28\) minutes
(ii) \(112\) min \(= 1\) h \(52\) min
| \(50 + 40\) | \(=\) | \(90\) |
| \(10 + 25\) | \(=\) | \(35\) |
\(p =\) 08:50 \(+ 40\) min \(=\) 09:30 (check: 09:30 \(+ 25\) min \(=\) 09:55). \(q =\) 10:10 \(+ 25\) min \(=\) 10:35.
Common pitfalls
Frequently asked questions
How do you read a timetable?
Find your service (column), then read down the column to your stop.
How do you work out how long a trip takes?
Count on from the departure time to the next o’clock, then to the arrival time, and add the pieces.
How do you find the latest bus to arrive on time?
Work backwards along the arrival row to the last time before your deadline, then read up that column.
What is a connection?
Changing from one service to another. The wait is from when you arrive to when the next service leaves.
Why do timetables use 24-hour time?
So there is no mix-up between am and pm.