Public transport service numbering
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Public transport service numbering is a means of identifying a particular transport service or route.
A train service can be identified by the train company, the date and a train number. This should not be confused with the number(s) of the vehicle(s). There are often several train services on a day with the same physical train. On the other hand, the train service of the next day with the same number may be carried out with other vehicles.
Similarly a flight service can be identified by the airline company, the date and a flight number. This should not be confused with the tail number of the airplane. There are often several flights on a day with the same airplane. On the other hand, the flight of the next day with the same number may be carried out with another plane. See also Airline call sign.
The same applies for other public transport.
A flight number is more often relevant for the passenger than a train number: although the latter are usually in the time-tables, they are often ignored, because most people find it more practical to identify train services by route and departure time.
In the US air crashes are often referred to by their flight number. Elsewhere they are usually referred to by the name of the location of the crash, e.g. Lockerbie. Wikipedia has lists indexed both ways. See Category:Accidents and incidents on commercial airliners
Bus services are generally identified by a service number and a destination, although in some areas (notably North America) each service or line is also referred to by a name. In cities like New York and Washington, DC, there are also a combination of letters and numbers in bus routes.
Metro services are generally identified by a line number, name, letter, colour or possibly a combination of all inclusive, as well as a destination.
See also Blue Line, Green Line, Red Line, Silver Line, Yellow Line