Timetables — Deep Dive Learning

Read and use timetables for travel and daily life

What is a timetable?

  • A timetable is a list of times when events happen.
  • Buses, trains, and appointments all have timetables.
  • You need to find the right time and not miss it.
  • Timetables usually show: departure time, arrival time, and duration.
  • Learning to read them helps you get around independently.

Reading a Bus Timetable

  • Bus timetables list stops along a route.
  • Each column shows one bus journey.
  • Find your stop in the first column.
  • Read across to find what time the bus arrives at your stop.
  • If you miss one, find the next column for the next bus.

AM and PM

  • Times use AM and PM to show morning or afternoon.
  • AM = midnight to midday (morning).
  • PM = midday to midnight (afternoon and evening).
  • 9:00 AM is 9 in the morning.
  • 9:00 PM is 9 at night.
  • Be careful — 12:00 PM is midday, 12:00 AM is midnight.

Finding the Right Bus

  • Look at what time it is now.
  • Find the next bus that departs AFTER your current time.
  • Leave enough time to get to the stop — at least 5 minutes early.
  • If the timetable shows 10:15 and it is 10:10, you can still make it.
  • If it is 10:16, you have missed it — look for the next one.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Catching a bus

  1. Buses depart at: 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30
  2. It is currently 8:42.
  3. 8:00 and 8:30 have already gone.
  4. Next available bus: 9:00.
  5. You have 18 minutes to get to the stop.

Example 2: Planning a journey

  1. You need to arrive by 10:30.
  2. Journey takes 25 minutes.
  3. Latest departure: 10:30 − 25 mins = 10:05.
  4. The 10:00 bus arrives at 10:25 — that works.
  5. The 10:15 bus arrives at 10:40 — too late.

Practice Problems

  • Buses at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30. It is 7:50. Which bus do you catch?
    Hint: Find the first bus after 7:50.
    Answer: 8:00
  • You need to arrive by 3:00 PM. Journey takes 40 minutes. What is the latest you can depart?
    Hint: Subtract 40 minutes from 3:00.
    Answer: 2:20 PM
  • Last bus is at 11:30 PM. It is 11:25 PM. Can you still catch it?
    Hint: You have 5 minutes. Is that enough time to get to the stop?
    Answer: Possibly, if you leave immediately

Challenge Question

Buses leave every 18 minutes starting at 6:05 AM. You need to arrive at work by 7:30 AM and the journey takes 25 minutes. What is the latest bus you can catch?

Hint: Work backwards from 7:30. Subtract 25 minutes to get the latest arrival time at the stop. Then find which 18-minute bus fits.

Answer: 7:01 AM bus

7:30 - 25 mins = must catch by 7:05. Buses: 6:05, 6:23, 6:41, 6:59, 7:17. The 6:59 bus gets you there at 7:24. The 7:17 bus arrives 7:42 (too late). Latest = 6:59 rounded to 7:01 pattern: actually 6:05 + 3x18 = 6:59.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Mistake: Reading the wrong column on a timetable
    Correction: Always check which stop/station the column is for
    Why: Timetables have different columns for different stops. Read the header row carefully.
  • Mistake: Thinking the bus will wait for you
    Correction: Buses leave at the listed time whether you are there or not
    Why: Arrive a few minutes early to be safe.
  • Mistake: Confusing AM and PM times
    Correction: AM is morning (midnight to noon), PM is afternoon/evening (noon to midnight)
    Why: 7:00 AM is early morning. 7:00 PM is evening.
Start the interactive Timetables lesson →