The idea, step by step
Ready time comes before departure
A connection joins two services. Compare the first arrival with the next departure. If it takes time to walk between stops, add that transfer time to the arrival to find the earliest ready time.
A service is feasible only if its departure is at or after that ready time. The waiting time is the whole gap from arrival to departure; the spare time after walking is a smaller part of that gap.
| Service | From | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Suburb to Central | 08:10 | 08:35 |
| B | Central to Museum | 08:43 | 09:05 |
| C | Central to Museum | 08:50 | 09:12 |
| D | Central to Museum | 09:10 | 09:32 |
Check delays and alternatives
Write the minimum transfer time clearly. A five-minute gap is not enough when a transfer needs ten minutes. A later departure may still reach the destination before a different route.
When a service is delayed, calculate a new arrival and ready time. Keep fixed departures fixed unless the question says they also change. Then choose the first service you can actually board.
A common trap
Choosing a bus just because it departs after arrival, ignoring the transfer walk.
Instead: Add the required transfer time first. Compare departures with that ready time.
See the thinking
A ten-minute transfer
Service A arrives at Central at 08:35. The transfer needs 10 minutes. Which Museum service is the first possible connection?
| Service | From | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Suburb to Central | 08:10 | 08:35 |
| B | Central to Museum | 08:43 | 09:05 |
| C | Central to Museum | 08:50 | 09:12 |
| D | Central to Museum | 09:10 | 09:32 |
- Earliest ready time is 08:35 + 10 minutes = 08:45.
- B departs at 08:43, before the group is ready.
- C departs at 08:50, so it is the first possible connection.
A delayed arrival
Service A is 7 minutes late. The transfer still needs 10 minutes. Which is the first possible connection?
| Service | From | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Suburb to Central | 08:10 | 08:35 |
| B | Central to Museum | 08:43 | 09:05 |
| C | Central to Museum | 08:50 | 09:12 |
| D | Central to Museum | 09:10 | 09:32 |
- New arrival: 08:35 + 7 minutes = 08:42.
- Ready time: 08:42 + 10 minutes = 08:52.
- C at 08:50 is missed. D at 09:10 is possible.
Check your understanding
A train arrives at 10:18. Transfer time is 8 minutes. Is a 10:25 departure possible?
Show answer
No.
The traveller is ready at 10:26, one minute after departure.
Your turn
6 questions · 11 marks · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- A bus arrives at 11:20. The next bus departs at 11:42. How long is the gap?1 mark
- A train arrives at 14:08. Walking to the bus takes 9 minutes. Find the earliest ready time.1 mark
- Use the connections table. After A arrives, a transfer needs 10 minutes. Explain why B cannot be boarded.2 marks
Practice bus connections Service From Departs Arrives A Suburb to Central 08:10 08:35 B Central to Museum 08:43 09:05 C Central to Museum 08:50 09:12 D Central to Museum 09:10 09:32 - Use the connections table. After A arrives, a transfer needs 10 minutes. How much spare time remains after walking if C is chosen?2 marks
Practice bus connections Service From Departs Arrives A Suburb to Central 08:10 08:35 B Central to Museum 08:43 09:05 C Central to Museum 08:50 09:12 D Central to Museum 09:10 09:32 - A traveller arrives at 15:36 and needs 12 minutes to transfer. Services leave at 15:45, 15:50 and 16:05. Which is the first possible service?2 marks
- Use the connections table. A is 7 minutes late and the transfer needs 10 minutes. Compared with the original first possible connection, how much later is Museum arrival?3 marks
Practice bus connections Service From Departs Arrives A Suburb to Central 08:10 08:35 B Central to Museum 08:43 09:05 C Central to Museum 08:50 09:12 D Central to Museum 09:10 09:32
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- A bus arrives at 11:20. The next bus departs at 11:42. How long is the gap?1 mark
11:20 to 11:42 is 22 minutes.
22 minutes - A train arrives at 14:08. Walking to the bus takes 9 minutes. Find the earliest ready time.1 mark
14:08 + 9 minutes = 14:17.
14:17 - Use the connections table. After A arrives, a transfer needs 10 minutes. Explain why B cannot be boarded.2 marks
Practice bus connections Service From Departs Arrives A Suburb to Central 08:10 08:35 B Central to Museum 08:43 09:05 C Central to Museum 08:50 09:12 D Central to Museum 09:10 09:32 08:35 + 10 minutes = 08:45.
The bus leaves 2 minutes too early.
Ready time is 08:45, but B leaves at 08:43. - Use the connections table. After A arrives, a transfer needs 10 minutes. How much spare time remains after walking if C is chosen?2 marks
Practice bus connections Service From Departs Arrives A Suburb to Central 08:10 08:35 B Central to Museum 08:43 09:05 C Central to Museum 08:50 09:12 D Central to Museum 09:10 09:32 Ready time is 08:45.
C leaves at 08:50, so 5 minutes remain.
5 minutes - A traveller arrives at 15:36 and needs 12 minutes to transfer. Services leave at 15:45, 15:50 and 16:05. Which is the first possible service?2 marks
Ready time is 15:48.
15:45 is too early. 15:50 is the first departure at or after 15:48.
15:50 - Use the connections table. A is 7 minutes late and the transfer needs 10 minutes. Compared with the original first possible connection, how much later is Museum arrival?3 marks
Practice bus connections Service From Departs Arrives A Suburb to Central 08:10 08:35 B Central to Museum 08:43 09:05 C Central to Museum 08:50 09:12 D Central to Museum 09:10 09:32 Without the delay, C reaches the Museum at 09:12.
With the delay, D is first possible and arrives at 09:32.
09:12 to 09:32 is 20 minutes.
20 minutes later
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum Mathematics
Year 6: itineraries, elapsed time and feasible journey planning, including connections and 24-hour time.
Official curriculum source ↗