timetable

A timetable is a schedule listing times at which events occur, typically transportation services or classes, with routes, stops, and operating days. It provides a plan for when services are expected to depart or start and arrive at destinations.

In public transport, timetables are published by operators and authorities to help passengers plan journeys. They usually include service numbers, origin and destination, intermediate stops, departure times at key stations, frequency, and days of operation. In schools, a timetable arranges classes into a weekly sequence, specifying periods, room assignments, teachers, and breaks. Historically timetables emerged with the expansion of railways in the 19th century and the need to coordinate rapidly increasing services; time standardization (time zones) and printing technology enabled widespread distribution. With digital technology, timetables now exist as dynamic data used by apps and journey planners.

Structure and conventions. Times are usually shown in local time, often in 24-hour format for clarity. Some systems indicate dwell time, platform numbers, or service changes. Exceptions such as holiday timetables or engineering works are noted. In many regions, timetable formats vary by operator, requiring cross-referencing multiple sources for complex journeys.

Variants and usage. Public transport timetables focus on routes, frequencies, and connections; school timetables organize daily or weekly blocks of classes. Timetables aim to balance efficiency with reliability and are subject to revisions for maintenance, demand, or policy changes. Digital timetables increasingly integrate real-time status, predictive delays, and multi-modal connections.