Functional Skills Maths: Timetables

Read bus and train timetables confidently

What is a Timetable?

  • A timetable lists when things happen — buses, trains, appointments.
  • Each column usually shows one journey.
  • Each row shows a different stop or station.

Reading a Timetable

  • Find your starting stop in the left column.
  • Read across the row to find departure times.
  • Find the next available time after your current time.
  • Miss a bus? Look at the next column for the next service.

Planning Journeys

  • Work backwards from your arrival time to find when to depart.
  • Arrival time − Journey time = Latest departure.
  • Always allow a few extra minutes to reach the stop.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Catching the next bus

  1. Buses depart at: 8:00, 8:30, 9:00.
  2. It is currently 8:15.
  3. 8:00 has gone. 8:30 is next.
  4. Next bus: 8:30

Example 2: Planning a journey

  1. Need to arrive by 10:30.
  2. Journey takes 25 minutes.
  3. Latest departure: 10:30 − 25 mins = 10:05.
  4. Catch the 10:00 bus (arrives 10:25 — in time).

Practice Questions

  • Buses at 10:00, 10:20, 10:40. It is 10:25. Which bus?
    Hint: Find the first bus after 10:25.
    Answer: 10:40
  • Train at 14:30, journey 45 mins. Arrives when?
    Hint: 14:30 + 45 minutes.
    Answer: 15:15
  • Need to arrive by 3:00 PM. Journey 30 mins. Leave by?
    Hint: 3:00 PM − 30 minutes.
    Answer: 2:30 PM
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