rutetabellen

Rutetabellen are tabular timetable documents produced by public transport operators to display planned routes and schedules for buses, trams, trains, and other services. They typically specify a line or service identifier, the direction of travel, origin and destination, and the sequence of stops with the corresponding times. The information is arranged to help passengers anticipate when a vehicle will arrive at or depart from each stop.

Most rutetabellen include the days of operation (working days, weekends, holidays) and the service frequency. Many also show first and last departures, connections with other lines, and notes such as detours or seasonal adjustments. Depending on the system, a timetable may emphasize clock-face scheduling, where departures occur at regular intervals (for example every 15 or 30 minutes) throughout a specified period.

There are different formats of rutetabellen. Line timetables (Linientabellen) focus on a single route and list its stops in order with times. Network timetables (Netztabellen) provide an overview of multiple lines within a network and indicate interchanges. Maps or diagrams are sometimes included to illustrate the route geography and interchange points, aiding transfers between lines.

Access to rutetabellen has shifted from printed sheets at stations to online publications and mobile apps. Modern systems often pair timetable data with real-time information, alerting users to delays or disruptions and offering alternative routes. While generally reliable, rutetabellen are subject to change due to maintenance, incidents, or service planning, and passengers are advised to verify times close to travel.