Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), along with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace and municipal partners, have collaborated to create a new system of wayfinding signage in stations and bus stops to make transferring between transit services easy, even for the novice transit customer.

The RTA’s new interagency signage and wayfinding program is designed to accommodate customers making rail-to-rail connections, as well as bus-to-rail connections. Destination options are clearly identified on complementary information panels conveniently located at decision points along the walking transfer path. The information panels provide several navigational tools including maps, route diagrams, and/or schedules to help customers get around the region’s transit system.

The signage project has been installed at four pilot sites in the region. The Downtown Connections Initiative at Union Station is a collaborative effort led by the RTA and builds upon the interagency signage design.

In conjunction with Metra, Amtrak and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, signage was designed and installed by agency staffs to improve the quality and quantity of wayfinding information provided to passengers arriving at Chicago Union Station. The enhanced wayfinding signage complements the existing signage within the station and is intended to make it easier for Metra and Amtrak customers to reach their final downtown destinations by transit or walking.

Customers will find wayfinding signage along the walking transfer path to help direct them to their boarding area. Customers leaving from Union Station can choose their destinations from a list of major downtown Chicago attractions. The information panel lists the bus boarding areas and route numbers. Signage within Union Station directs the customer to the appropriate bus stop, as well. Bus boarding areas at all locations will be identified with a letter above the current bus stop sign.

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