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Journey To School Maths

Maths hiding in getting to school: bus timetables

Read departure and arrival times and calculate waiting time.

Quick answer

Bus timetables help you work out when you need to leave home to catch your bus and how long you’ll wait at the stop.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to read a bus timetable, find the departure and arrival times, and calculate how long you wait for the bus. Success signs:
  • You can read the time a bus leaves and when it arrives.
  • You can find the time difference between two bus times.
  • You can calculate how long you wait for a bus.
  • You can use your timetable to plan your journey to school.

Why this matters

Bus timetables are full of maths! When you’re getting to school, you use maths to:
  • Work out when to leave home so you don’t miss your bus
  • Find out how long you’ll wait at the bus stop
  • Plan your journey so you’re not late
  • Check if you have enough time to walk or run to the bus stop
This maths helps you be more confident and independent. It’s also useful for shopping, holidays, and planning your day. In school, you’ll use these skills for time, addition, subtraction, and even fractions when you think about how much of an hour you have left.

How it works

To understand a bus timetable, follow these simple steps:
  1. Look at the bus route – What number is the bus?
  2. Find the departure time – What time does the bus leave?
  3. Find the arrival time – What time does the bus get to your stop?
  4. Calculate the waiting time – How long do you wait for the bus?
  5. Plan your journey – How much time do you need to get to the stop?

Examples you can see

Let’s look at a real bus timetable to see how it works. Bus Route 12 Timetable
Departure Arrival Waiting time
08:15 08:22 7 minutes
08:30 08:37 7 minutes
08:45 08:52 7 minutes
09:00 09:07 7 minutes
Example 1: If you arrive at the bus stop at 08:18 and the next bus is at 08:30, how long do you wait?
  • Bus leaves at 08:30
  • You arrive at 08:18
  • From 08:18 to 08:30 is 12 minutes
Example 2: If you need to be at school by 08:45, and the bus takes 10 minutes to get there, what is the latest you can leave home?
  • Bus arrives at 08:45
  • Bus journey takes 10 minutes
  • So you need to leave at 08:35
Example 3: If you are at the bus stop at 08:50 and the next bus is at 09:00, how long do you wait?
  • Next bus is at 09:00
  • You arrive at 08:50
  • From 08:50 to 09:00 is 10 minutes

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Bus Stop Challenge! You are planning your journey to school for the day. You need to:
  1. Find your bus route on a timetable
  2. Choose a time to leave home
  3. Calculate how long you’ll wait at the bus stop
  4. Make sure you’ll get to school on time
Step-by-step challenge:
  1. Find the bus stop near your house on a real or pretend timetable
  2. Choose a time to leave home (e.g., 08:00)
  3. Find the next bus after that time
  4. Calculate the waiting time
  5. Work out what time you’ll arrive at school
Mini challenge:
  • You arrive at the bus stop at 08:25
  • The next bus is at 08:32
  • How long do you wait?
Answer: From 08:25 to 08:32 is 7 minutes.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Confusing 12-hour and 24-hour time formats. For example, thinking 13:00 is 1:00 PM.
    Why it happens: The 24-hour clock looks different and can be confusing.
    Fix: Practice reading 24-hour times with a clock or timer. You can say "13:00" as "thirteen hundred" or "1:00 PM".
  • Mistake: Adding or subtracting times incorrectly.
    Why it happens: Children sometimes forget that minutes go up to 60 and then hours change.
    Fix: Use a number line or a clock to help you count time. For example, if you start at 08:45 and add 20 minutes, you go to 09:05.
  • Mistake: Thinking the waiting time is the difference between the arrival and departure times.
    Why it happens: This is easy to mix up when you're learning.
    Fix: Remember: waiting time = time you arrive at the bus stop – time the bus leaves.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child learn about bus timetables in just a few minutes:
  • Practice together: Use a real timetable or draw one with your child. Ask questions like, “If the bus leaves at 08:10 and you arrive at 08:05, how long do you wait?”
  • Make it real: If you take a bus to work, let your child count the minutes to the next bus. Or, if you don’t use a bus, make a pretend timetable at home.
  • Use the clock: Help your child see how time moves on a real clock. Ask them to show 08:30 and then count 10 minutes forward.
  • Encourage questions: Ask, “Why do we need to know this?” or “What would happen if we missed the bus?”
  • Don’t pressure: Keep it fun and not like a test. If your child makes a mistake, gently correct it and keep going.

Practice questions

  1. You arrive at the bus stop at 08:20. The next bus is at 08:27. How long do you wait?
  2. You need to be at school by 09:15. The bus takes 8 minutes to get there. What is the latest you can leave home?
  3. You arrive at the bus stop at 09:05. The next bus is at 09:12. How long do you wait?
  4. You arrive at the bus stop at 08:40. The next bus is at 08:47. How long do you wait?
  5. You arrive at the bus stop at 09:30. The next bus is at 09:38. How long do you wait?
Answers:
  1. 7 minutes
  2. 09:07
  3. 7 minutes
  4. 7 minutes
  5. 8 minutes

FAQ

How do I read a bus timetable?

Look for the bus route number, then find the departure and arrival times. The difference between these times is how long the bus journey takes.

Why do I need to know bus timetables?

Bus timetables help you plan your journey, so you don’t miss your bus or get to school late. They also help you learn about time and how to calculate differences.

What if I miss a bus?

If you miss a bus, you’ll have to wait for the next one. Use the timetable to find out when it comes and how long you’ll wait.

Can I use a timetable for other journeys?

Yes! You can use timetables for trains, planes, or even walking to the park. Timetables help you plan any trip.

How can I make a timetable at home?

Draw a table with times and activities. For example, “08:00 – Wake up,” “08:30 – Eat breakfast,” “09:00 – Walk to bus stop.”