Timetable
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A timetable is an organized list or schedule, usually set out in tabular form, providing information about a series of arranged events: in particular, the time at which it is planned these events will take place.
This article is about timetables in the context of public transport passenger services.
Such timetables may be presented as follows:
For every public transport line there are two tables (one for each direction), consisting of columns, one for each daily public transport service. Every line of the table corresponds to one stop, the table shows the departure times, or for the last stop, the arrival times. For some stops there may be two table lines, one for arrival and one for departure. The columns may specify restrictions on the days for which it applies, e.g. Mon-Fri only; alternatively there are separate tables for (usually) Mon-Fri (e.g. [1] (http://www.connexxion.nl/cms/data/attachments/2893/pdf_mv/mvz133.pdf)), Sat and Sun (or Sat and Sun combined).
BordUtrecht.jpg
Alternatively, info may be for a particular departure stop, as is often displayed on train stations and bus stops. Info may be arranged by public transport line, and per line arranged by departure time (e.g. [2] (http://www.ns.nl/vertrekstaten/asd2.pdf)), or just be arranged by departure time for all directions together (e.g. [3] (http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/bhftafel.exe/en?evaId=8400058)). The table may or may not indicate arrival times. Like above, there may or may not be separate tables for (usually) Mon-Fri, Sat and Sun (or Sat and Sun combined).
A dynamic display in a station may be at a central place and give a list of all departures from the station for e.g. the next hour (see picture), or at a platform and just show the next departure (or perhaps the next few) from that platform.
Computer programs allow one to enter departure location and destination location, as well as date, and departure or arrival time. The program then gives suitable departure times, with details for the whole journey.
Airlines, train and bus companies commonly publicize timetable books or pamphlets for the general public. Most airlines used to send timetables for free through the mail upon request. However, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, many have stopped this practice.
In the U.S., timetables for bus lines and some transit operations are typical now called schedules.
The first railway timetable was published in 1839 by George Bradshaw.