What is trip time?

• A. The time it takes for a train to travel from its origin to its destination, including stops
• B. The official schedule listing departure and arrival times, routes, and service frequencies
• C. The time a train remains at a station
• D. The movement of trains or equipment without passengers

Answer: (A)

Trip time is the total duration from when a train leaves its origin to when it arrives at its destination, including the time it spends moving between stations and the time it spends stopped at intermediate stations. This captures the actual length of a journey for a rider, not just the planned schedule or a single phase of the trip. It’s different from the timetable (the published schedule), from dwell time (the time a train sits at a station), and from deadheading (moving trains or equipment without passengers). That broader, all-in-one measure is why it best describes the option that includes both travel and stops.