Are Paper Bus Timetables still in your area?

[YorkRailFan]

Imagine Transdev may have printed timetables for their former Reliance routes from Thirsk down to Easingwold and York but haven’t seen any in the flesh.

They have, usually available on the buses and also at York Tourist Information on Parliament Street.

 

[route101]

Nothing from operators in my neck of the woods (former Hambleton district of North Yorks), but we do get:
- market town guides produced by HarBus, the Hambleton and Richmondshire Bus Users (a voluntary group supported by the local voluntary/community services organisation)
- Dales Bus’ excellent Sunday timetable
- Similar Dales Bus summer timetable booklet of buses and trains produced by West Yorkshire Metro but widely circulated up here too

Last operator printed timetables I saw were in the brief period when Reliance ran the 70 from Northallerton to Ripon, and Coatham were running the 80 to Stokesley. Imagine Transdev may have printed timetables for their former Reliance routes from Thirsk down to Easingwold and York but haven’t seen any in the flesh.

I picked up the timetables for the York/Thirsk routes at Harrogate a few months ago.

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Transport for Cornwall produces a good timetable book so far. Hopefully a big new one for the changes in February!!

I thought they stopped the big book , good to hear its still going.

 

[Ridercross]

I thought they stopped the big book , good to hear its still going.

The Cornwall book was impossible to obtain when I was down there last month. Newquay and Truro bus stations only had print outs A4 sheets for individual routes. There was also a notice in Redruth library basically saying that Cornwall Council hadn't supplied them.

I think therefore if the timetable book is still actually produced, it must be in very limited amounts.

 

[route101]

The Cornwall book was impossible to obtain when I was down there last month. Newquay and Truro bus stations only had print outs A4 sheets for individual routes. There was also a notice in Redruth library basically saying that Cornwall Council hadn't supplied them.

I think therefore if the timetable book is still actually produced, it must be in very limited amounts.

I was in Newquay in April and had no problem obtaining the book, it was just before a timetable change.

 

[Andyh82]

I was in Newquay in April and had no problem obtaining the book, it was just before a timetable change.

To be fair that was then. There have been two further issues since.

 

[Bedford OB]

The print run was dramatically reduced in the autumn. The only place they were available in mid-October was Plymouth TIC - in Devon.

 

[duncombec]

I think Compass Bus stopped doing their nice booklet recently.

Barry Doe's website suggests the next edition is due in January 2026. The Brighton services have never been in it.

In Kent the only ones I see are Go Coach (Go Bus)

Nu-Venture still produce printed timetables for all of their public bus services (not schools) - certainly available on buses. Fasttrack & Kent Country do as well, which should be on buses but aren't always kept refilled.

and the leaflets KCC produce for Regent Coaches.

I'm not certain, but I think Regent produce these themselves to a former KCC template. They do seem notoriously difficult to get hold of, mind, with the only success I'm aware of being via an office visit. (hence why I don't yet have any!)

 

[route101]

Some operators are proactive at producing timetables and maps. Some are not.

I have not seen any Arriva timetables for some time.

 

[Bedford OB]

Some operators are proactive at producing timetables and maps. Some are not.

I have not seen any Arriva timetables for some time.

Arriva have produced various items this year, including a Luton book in the summer. They have also again produced the excellent North Wales By Bus book this year, which does not have full timetables but has detailed route maps area by area, full route and frequency listings. There was a joint book with Go North East for 306-309, and various leaflets from different areas.

 

[Citistar]

In the west country, we have very little to speak of in the way of printed publicity. The West of England Combined Authority produced a few maps over recent years, but these became progressively less useful in later iterations. The only timetables they've visibly produced in recent years are for the WestLocal vanity projects. Wiltshire still produce a few printed A4 sheets for service changes when they happen, but no books or maps any longer. I haven't seen any printed publicity from Somerset or Gloucestershire since Covid. None of the major operators produce printed timetables any longer and First West of England have stopped producing usable PDF timetables for their website.

It amazes me that at a time when millions are being spent in the mission to encourage the public towards active and sustainable travel that the basics such as having a simple map showing primary bus routes in and around settlements still aren't being addressed.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

It amazes me that at a time when millions are being spent in the mission to encourage the public towards active and sustainable travel that the basics such as having a simple map showing primary bus routes in and around settlements still aren't being addressed.

This seems to be the first posting to give a positive reasoning for paper publicity. Would anyone else like to back it up? To put it another way, why is it a good thing if paper timetables are available?

 

[overthewater]

It amazes me that at a time when millions are being spent in the mission to encourage the public towards active and sustainable travel that the basics such as having a simple map showing primary bus routes in and around settlements still aren't being addressed.

It doesn't help that certain people in power AKA Directors of certain bus companies either believe: in cost cutting or believe there is no need for enhance publications, and thinking everyone uses the mobile phone.

This seems to be the first posting to give a positive reasoning for paper publicity. Would anyone else like to back it up? To put it another way, why is it a good thing if paper timetables are available?

I thought it was a given? Paper timetables are great, because they give you a full picture, if you look at a timetables on your phone you never get to see everything at one go, you have move around the screen. Also like with bus times dot org you don't always get all the journeys together so you might miss something.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I thought it was a given? Paper timetables are great, because they give you a full picture, if you look at a timetables on your phone you never get to see everything at one go, you have move around the screen. Also like with bus times dot org you don't always get all the journeys together so you might miss something.

<devil's advocate> So isn't this an argument for better websites rather than for paper timetables? </devil's advocate>

 

[barringtoncem]

I believe that Whippet still have Paper Timetables although it can be a bit hit and miss if there are any in the racks onboard & there also a newish service 67 which runs from st neots to st ives and vice versa i don't know the service operator do paper timetables

 

[overthewater]

<devil's advocate> So isn't this an argument for better websites rather than for paper timetables? </devil's advocate>

That's a very good question. Arriva has a dreadful website, trying to find timetables on First is very odd it has "plan-your-journey" instead of Timetables. There is wonderful guy online called " Rory sutherland " he highlights how too many compaines are trying to be too smart. Stick to the bread and butter and keep is simple and it works so much better.

Why can't we have better website and better Timetables?

Part of the problem with the new Stagecoach design timetables, there is alot of waste on each page, go back years and you had much less waste. It's so badly formatted, and changing the actual design could save ££££ on printing cost but again they care more about making it look good instead of making it useful..

 

[izvor]

Nu-Venture still produce printed timetables for all of their public bus services (not schools) - certainly available on buses. Fasttrack & Kent Country do as well, which should be on buses but aren't always kept refilled.

Good to hear about Nu-Venture, I'll look out for them.

I'm not certain, but I think Regent produce these themselves to a former KCC template. They do seem notoriously difficult to get hold of, mind, with the only success I'm aware of being via an office visit. (hence why I don't yet have any!)

I use their services occasionally and their buses often carry a selection.

Good news about the Compass book, thanks, will look out for that one too.

Why can't we have better website and better Timetables?

Don't get me started! I'm quite happy with a decent pdf as opposed to a printed timetable. Arriva, as you say, are dire in this respect. Some of Stagecoach's output are similarly appalling, frankly, sometimes unintelligible (and I consider myself a transport "professional"). They often seem to be pasted across straight from their database with no correction. Great when you are shown an interurban service running from, say, "Railway Station" to "Red Lion" and it is down to you to work out where they are! GoAhead seem to set a much higher standard across their companies.

But then I'm old school and timetables in the traditional sense are not used or understood by many/most younger folk now. Which is a shame.

 

[overthewater]

Ember/Megabus/Flix don't believe in timetables, which I can't understand. Their view point is the passengers should look for when they want to travel to see if there is a journey. I'm like no you should be showcasing your network and full operations.

Stagecoach Scotland are far better as they do create PDF version of the printed timetables for many years, unlike many part of it's English operations. The East midlands operations are the best they have a proper page that links ALL the services in a area and includes a map; https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east-midlands/latest-timetables complete breath of fresh air.

Cambridge is dire and who ever is in control doesn't have a clue, it's been like that for donkey years.

First Scotland East towards the end was also a lot better than most of the First Empire, I think from 2011? to 2022 they actually put up PDF versions of the printed timetables, including some that never got printed.

A good mention was McGills in 2018? They didnt print new set of timetables for the Monklands area but did created an area guide which had a map, and listed all the services plus the main freq along with start/finishing times etc That is a good middle ground, not great but help promotes the network for all passengers to see.

 

[route101]

It doesn't help that certain people in power AKA Directors of certain bus companies either believe: in cost cutting or believe there is no need for enhance publications, and thinking everyone uses the mobile phone.




I thought it was a given? Paper timetables are great, because they give you a full picture, if you look at a timetables on your phone you never get to see everything at one go, you have move around the screen. Also like with bus times dot org you don't always get all the journeys together so you might miss something.

Yes, a good printed bus map is much more usable to me than trying to fathom where routes go on Google maps, and quicker too.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Some operators are proactive at producing timetables and maps. Some are not.

I have not seen any Arriva timetables for some time.

Arriva publishes a booklet for the X18, with details of Borders Buses' 418. Its often available in the waiting room at Alnmouth Station.

 

[route101]

Stirling Bus Station had McGills timetables with exception of the Falkirk Guide. Stirling Council leaflets, Stagecoach X22 and West Perthshire Guide and a SPT print out for the 309.

 

[Tinkerer]

I haven't seen paper timetables on McGill's buses (Greenock, Glasgow, west coast) for years, but I've not travelled on all their routes. Their Android app is really good with timetables, updates from your local bus stops etc. The app can even show a map of where your bus is located at present. McGill's introduced their iPhone and Android app in 2018 and it has improved a lot since then.

 

[38291018]

Both Nottingham City Transport, CT4N (vehicles only I believe, correct me if wrong) and trentbarton produce paper timetables for buses in Nottingham.

Yes ct4n definatly do on vehicles and yes all trentbarton routes not just nottingham have timetables (some route like the 30s ilkeston routes are on one booklet but most have all individual) and could be wrong but they never stopped producing paper timetables even during covid I believe

 

[aron2smith]

Hertfordshire, seems to only be Uno who bother anymore, 242/ 243 had its own paper timetable as well as a booklet for all Uno routes on their buses.

A year or so ago, managed to get paper copies of the Hertfordshire bus map. 3 covered the whole county. Intalink had a minibus with tons of leaflets going round different towns, not sure if it still does this.

Central Connect in Essex seems to do very limited paper timetables for specific routes, seen them for the Cambridge 100 and Stansted 333 routes but nothing else.

 

[38291018]

Hertfordshire, seems to only be Uno who bother anymore, 242/ 243 had its own paper timetable as well as a booklet for all Uno routes on their buses.

A year or so ago, managed to get paper copies of the Hertfordshire bus map. 3 covered the whole county. Intalink had a minibus with tons of leaflets going round different towns, not sure if it still does this.

Central Connect in Essex seems to do very limited paper timetables for specific routes, seen them for the Cambridge 100 and Stansted 333 routes but nothing else.

I have seen timetables for central connect in nottingham before too however think it's only on buses. I have seen them on the 90/92 though

 

[Bedford OB]

Hertfordshire, seems to only be Uno who bother anymore, 242/ 243 had its own paper timetable as well as a booklet for all Uno routes on their buses.

A year or so ago, managed to get paper copies of the Hertfordshire bus map. 3 covered the whole county. Intalink had a minibus with tons of leaflets going round different towns, not sure if it still does this.

Central Connect in Essex seems to do very limited paper timetables for specific routes, seen them for the Cambridge 100 and Stansted 333 routes but nothing else.

Central Connect have produced numerous high quality leaflets/booklets over recent times, for various parts of their operating areas, including Essex. Recent examples include a multifold Harlow Bus Guide, with colour map and timetables for 15 routes serving Harlow; a booklet for 20/21/22; and a leaflet for 375, all dated 1 September 2025.

 

[aron2smith]

Central Connect have produced numerous high quality leaflets/booklets over recent times, for various parts of their operating areas, including Essex. Recent examples include a multifold Harlow Bus Guide, with colour map and timetables for 15 routes serving Harlow; a booklet for 20/21/22; and a leaflet for 375, all dated 1 September 2025.

Never seen any of them. Would be interested in seeing the Harlow Bus Guide.

 

[route101]

I haven't seen paper timetables on McGill's buses (Greenock, Glasgow, west coast) for years, but I've not travelled on all their routes. Their Android app is really good with timetables, updates from your local bus stops etc. The app can even show a map of where your bus is located at present. McGill's introduced their iPhone and Android app in 2018 and it has improved a lot since then.

Never seen McGills West timetables out in the wild unlike Stirling or Dundee.

Yes, I do like the system they use on website and app, other operators use it but not First.

Occasionally find a first 500 timetable at Glasgow airport but that's it apart from citylink.

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I was impressed by Brighton and Hove buses , office was open on Sunday and they had a full rack of timetables including local Compass and metro timetables.

 

[SSmith2009]

Centrebus still have timetables for the Hospital Hopper, Orbitals and Hop! buses in Leicester and for the christmas period they had leaflets for how buses were running over the period.

Central Connect have Novus timetables available on buses and at St Margaret's Bus Station kiosk.

 

[stadler]

Never seen McGills West timetables out in the wild unlike Stirling or Dundee.

Yes, I do like the system they use on website and app, other operators use it but not First.

Occasionally find a first 500 timetable at Glasgow airport but that's it apart from citylink.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jan 2026 ==

I was impressed by Brighton and Hove buses , office was open on Sunday and they had a full rack of timetables including local Compass and metro timetables.

Brighton & Hove and Metrobus are good in that they still produce timetable leaflets. But the annoying thing is that now it is just dozens and dozens of separate timetable leaflets for each bus route. Up until covid they both produced one big timetable book for their entire networks which was far more useful than carrying around dozens of individual leaflets. But at least they still have paper timetables.

 

[D6130]

First Halifax have printed timetables for local routes available from the travel office at Halifax bus station.