Commuters passing through Bloor-Yonge Station this week might notice a few changes: newly co-ordinated signs with both route numbers and familiar colours, designed to make it easier for newcomers to navigate the system.
By combining numbers and the colours already in use for the lines on existing maps, the TTC hopes to make the system more user-friendly, especially for occasional and first-time riders and those who do not speak English.
For example, the Yonge-University-Spadina Line has been assigned the number 1 and the already familiar yellow. So a 1 inside a yellow circle is now the line’s default representation at Bloor-Yonge Station.
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“It’s really about simplicity,” said Chris Upfold, the TTC’s chief customer officer. “These symbols really stand out for you.”
Bloor-Danforth is Line 2, the Scarborough RT is Line 3, and Sheppard is Line 4. The numbers reflect the order in which they were built.
The lines aren’t being renamed officially, just given a standard number to clear up the confusion that occurs with routes typically referred to in several ways — for example Yonge, YUS and Spadina.
“We’re not getting rid of the names we’ve used historically,” Upfold said, explaining that the TTC anticipates riders will start to key in on just a single number and colour per line.
Beyond redesigned signage, subway platforms are also being updated with clearer “you are here” maps.
“How long could we keep going on adding street names to the lines we have now?” Upfold asked. “At some stage you have to come up with a new convention, so this sets the ground for today, as well as for the future.”
Upfold said design and production costs are in-house and no new funding is required. Printing costs will be absorbed by previous budgets.
The TTC is looking for feedback on the trial program, which will expand to St. George Station in the next few weeks. The full rollout, including any refinements, will be complete by the end of 2015.
Kim Nursall Kim Nursall is a former Toronto Star staff reporter.
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