Forecasting and appraising the impact of a regular interval timetable

The timetable is the prime and essential feature of the service offered to potential travellers by public transport. The Taktfahrplan concept is based on trains leaving stations at the same time past the hour throughout the operational day. The objective is to provide an attractive rail service, memorable and easy to market, with well-planned connections. This paper presents an appraisal of the introduction of a Taktfahrplan timetable onto the UK’s East Coast Main Line rail route. We find positive changes for user and non-user benefits and revenue on London and non-London based flows.