🕒 Time maths
Convert departure and arrival times into journey lengths, including changes and waiting time.
Maths + travel💷 Fare thinking
Compare Anytime, Off-Peak, and Advance tickets like a real rail planner.
Financial freedom🧠 Decision skills
Balance fastest, cheapest, and most comfortable options instead of guessing.
Problem solving1) Read the timetable
This fictional timetable uses realistic train-planning ideas. Your job is to find the smartest route from Maxwell Central to Innovation Park.
| Train | Depart | Change at | Arrive | Fare | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning Local | 08:12 | Riverside, 12 min wait | 09:18 | £7.40 | Busy |
| Gold Express | 08:25 | Direct | 09:05 | £12.80 | Quiet |
| Budget Sprinter | 08:40 | Harbour, 8 min wait | 09:42 | £5.90 | Medium |
| Tech Shuttle | 09:00 | Direct | 09:44 | £8.60 | Quiet |
2) Journey-time calculator
Pick a train and let the calculator show the total minutes. Then try to explain the answer in your own words.
3) Best-ticket challenge
You have £9.00 and must arrive before 09:30. Which train should you choose?
4) Build your own mini rail plan
Use the planner to practise trade-offs. It creates a simple recommendation from your priorities.
5) Reflection mission
- When would you pay more for a faster train?
- When would you choose a slower but cheaper route?
- What extra information would a real train app need: platform, delays, seat reservations, or accessibility?
Creator challenge: Make a YouTube Short explaining one timetable trick in under 30 seconds.