The new Southern Zone Timetable July 2008-June 2009 released by the Indian Railways is a boon for travellers. Clubbing together the four zonal railways in the south - Southern Railway, South Central Railway, South Western Railway and Konkan Railway – this 350-page book priced at Rs.30, is comprehensive, user-friendly and easy to read. Violet coloured fonts facilitates easy reading, though the font size has been reduced as compared to the previous edition. The Indian Railway Map in colour has been included in the beginning along with a map with table numbers. Timetables of express and passenger trains of all the zones as well as all-India trains have been provided.

The timetable starts with organisational details of the four zonal railways. Four simple methods have been listed out and tips provided, along with illustrations on how to locate the correct tables. This is followed by an illustration on how to read a table and how to locate the trains and railway stations. Route maps of trains and fares are also included. The Passenger Information Section includes telephone numbers of all zones and divisions, advance reservation procedures, rail travel concessions, refund rules, booking of luggage, claims, amenities at stations, retiring rooms and dormitories at stations, list of trains with pantry car facility, etc.

Public grievance and redressal machinery, public information officers under the Right to Information Act, list of zonal railways and websites along with details of rail travel service agents in all divisions have been provided in the passenger information section. A South Zone map of places of interest had been included as the last section of the book.