By Gary Centrale
Authorities for the Brussels Tram System are to pioneer an innovative approach to public transport schedules.
Known as “creative timetabling”, the system is set to overhaul the traditional method of regular minutes-past-the-hour arrival times in favour of randomising tram times.
Public transport insiders say the system was developed following concerns over a “lack of creative spirit” within the tram scheduling community.
“Creative Timetabling will transform tram schedules,” said Anne Biorix, Head of Schedules at the Brussels Public Transport office.
“It’s the right time for tram times to change,” she added.
Prior to this new method, trams would arrive in a regular, predictable fashion at the same number of minutes past each hour.
Creative Timetabling, however, produces randomised tram times which leaves passengers without access to the timetable unable to predict when the next tram will arrive.
Trams might be scheduled for six minutes past each hour, but on reaching 15h will take a dramatic leap to twelve minutes past.
It is hoped that passengers will enjoy the “dizzy excitement” of being unable to recall the exact time of their trams, whether going to work, home, school or simply taking a tram ride for fun.
The system is also designed to work against those who memorise tram timetables, as times will automatically change each month according to a secret mathematical algorithm developed by dwarfs in a cave in the Ardennes.
There are worries among passengers however that this level of unpredictability will prevent anyone from ever catching a tram on time.
When questioned about this, Biorix said that waiting for the next tram had been a source of inspiration to some of Belgium’s most celebrated scientists, artists and musicians.
When pressed further, however, Biorix was unable to recall any names.
