We have made this program intuitive and easy to use, but there are a number of features that may not be obvious to the first time user.
The first stage of planning a journey is to enter the name of the place that you would like your journey to start from, and where you would like your journey to end. The place name can be entered in full, or in part, as the next stage of the journey planning process will allow you to select from a list of places that are available.
Use "Tab" to jump from field to field.
An optional via point is available should you require a journey to operate via a specific point, if this is required simply enter the name of the place in full or in part, as you have done for the start and end points of your journey.
The next option is to select the departure or arrival time from a list of times separated into 15 minute blocks. This can be done by clicking on the arrow beside the time and selecting the required time, by using the arrow keys on the keyboard to scroll through the available times, or by using the number keys on the keyboard. Times are listed using the 24 hour clock.
After selecting the required time, pressing " Tab" will allow you to select whether this should be the departure time or the arrival time of your journey. Use the left or right arrow keys on the keyboard to choose between the two options available.
The next option available is to choose the date when you would like to travel. This can be done by clicking on the arrow beside the date and selecting the desired date, or by using the arrow keys on the keyboard to scroll through the available dates. By default the date is entered as todays date, and journeys can be planned up to 28 days in advance.
The next option is to choose the time which should be made available to change between services en-route. The default is " Standard" and allows predetermined connection times to be observed when changing between services or modes of transport. The interchange time can be changed to 5, 10, or 15 minutes, by clicking on the arrow and choosing the desired minimum conection time, or by using the arrow keys on the keyboard to scroll through the available options.
The last options available in this stage of the journey planning process is to choose the method of transport which should be included in the search, the default is that both Train and Bus are selected, but you can deselect either option by pressing the spacebar on your keyboard.
Once all sections have been completed, you can continue the journey planning process by choosing " Submit" or by pressing return on your keyboard.
The next page allows you to choose a more specific departure, arrival, and via point. This is done by clicking on the arrow next to each place, or by using the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard to scroll through the places available.
Choosing " Submit" will take you to the journeys that are available. Choosing " Revise" will take you back to the previous page. Choosing " Clear" will take you back to the first page.
The final page shows the journeys matching your selections which were found, and other journeys close to the required time, where available.
It is important that users should click through or scroll down to the Detailed View of the preferred option. This is of particular importance when journeys are indirect. Passengers should make a note from the Detailed View of where and how to make connections offered.
You can see more details about the journeys shown by selecting " Stops" or " Table" any additional information is shown in the form of symbols, which are explained at the bottom of the page. By holding the mouse cursor over the symbol itself a small box giving an explaination will also appear.
Alternatively you can revise your departure or arrival time by selecting " Earlier" or " Later" (if there are no other journeys available these options may be crossed out), you can return to the previous screen by selecting " Revise", you can reverse the direction of your journey by selecting " Return", or you can start the whole journey planning process again and return to the first screen by selecting " New".