Swiss Graphic Timetable

[Cricketer]

The Swiss timetable is a thing of wonder - maybe even awe. If you get a chance look at the nodal points. Trains arrive from different destinations at about the same time, and leave a few minutes later. Passengers can change from one line to another safe in the knowledge that the connnection will be there. Furthermore the main idea is that the nodes should have trains arriving just before the hour and leaving just after the hour, with, on busier routes, a similar process on the half hour. And to add to the beauty local buses arrive just before the trains and leave after the trains have arrive.

Thus Zurich, the biggest station, of all has long distance trains arriving between 10 to and the hour, and they leave between the hour and 10 past. The platforms are full on the hour and empty and quarter past. More minor stations operate on the same principle. This is why the Swiss person on average makes over 500 train trips per year. Plus large streetcar systems in Zurich (recently expanded), Basel, Geneva and smaller ones elsewhere. Plus wonderfully quaint interurban systems running next to to local roads, and in a few places still on the road itself. Well they are quaint in concept, but a 15 minute service is not exaclty that quaint.

 

[petitnj]

Note that if the train arrives at B at 11 minutes after the hour from A, it returns from B to A at 11 minutes before the hour. You never have to look at the schedule to figure out when to get on the train to go home. Also this schedule is integrated into the bus and light rail schedule. You can access the schedule on your text phone, even.

[beaulieu]

 I have attached a link to a Graphic Timetable for Switzerland. With Switzerland's Regular Interval Service (Taktfahrplan) over most of their Network you would rarely need anything more. The Legend in English is in the lower right hand corner.

 

Swiss Graphic Timetable