How the timetable is formed
Frequency controls the gap between departures. First and last train define the operating window, while turnaround time is the recovery period at each terminus.
The game creates the full set of outbound and return workings for the day. Each working receives a public headcode, allocated trainset and live status.
Reading a headcode
A headcode has four characters, such as 2A01. The first digit is the service class: 1 means express and 2 means standard. The letter identifies the route, while the final two digits show that working’s order in the route’s operating day.
Outbound and return workings share one chronological sequence, so passengers and control staff can identify a specific train consistently. Running numbers restart for each route operating day; the hundredth working uses 00 before the two-digit sequence repeats.
Operator tip
The route page shows its letter and headcode pattern. Changing a route between standard and express updates future planned workings without rewriting history.
Why frequency needs more trains
Required trainsets are based on the complete operating cycle: outbound journey, turnaround, return journey and another turnaround. This cycle is divided by the service frequency and rounded up.
Reducing the departure interval from 30 minutes to 15 minutes can nearly double the fleet requirement. The route page recalculates the requirement before you save.
Operator tip
If demand is high but cash is tight, compare a capacity upgrade or larger train with the cost of doubling frequency.
Changing today’s plan
- A tighter frequency improves convenience and capacity but needs more stock and may worsen congestion.
- Longer operating hours create more revenue opportunity but increase the obligation to provide trains.
- More turnaround gives recovery time but can increase the required fleet.
- Future planned services are rebuilt to reflect timetable changes.
Service delivery
A working cancelled before carrying passengers earns no passenger revenue. A late cancellation may still recognise fare allocated to passenger travel completed before cancellation, while the cancelled remainder earns nothing. Cancellation rate feeds route satisfaction, while accepted contracts check the percentage of the timetable that was actually delivered.
A route with too few serviceable trainsets will cancel workings allocated to unavailable units even when the timetable itself is valid.