TTC rolls out subway navigation enhancements

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) launched a trial on Monday of new signage at Bloor-Yonge Station as part of its efforts to improve and ease navigation of the subway system and its stations. Improved wayfinding is a 2014 Customer Charter commitment.

In October 2013, the TTC board endorsed a presentation by staff to apply already existing line numbers and color-coding to the four subway and rail lines, make greater use of pictograms and improve station entrance signage across the city.

Subway lines are not being renamed; instead, the agency is applying line numbers and colors already in use to existing line names to make navigating the TTC easier for frequent, occasional and first-time riders, as well as those whose first language is not English.

Line 1 is being applied to the Yonge-University-Spadina line; Line 2 to the Bloor-Danforth line; Line 3 to the Scarborough RT and Line 4 to the Sheppard line. The TTC will apply lines five through seven to the future light rail lines approved and funded by Metrolinx to its wayfinding system. The now under construction Eglinton-Crosstown line will become Line 5 when it opens. The numbers reflect the order in which a line was built.

Subway platforms will also get enhanced “you are here” maps to further aid riders using the system. The transit system will also improve signage for those with disabilities.

St. George Station, the TTC’s second busiest subway interchange station, will receive new wayfinding signage in the coming weeks. Staff will then begin surveying customers as they pass through both stations to gather feedback. Any necessary refinements will then be made before rollout across the TTC by the end of 2015. No new money is required for this project, as all design and production is being done-in-house. Printing costs will be absorbed within existing printing budgets.

Greeters will be at Bloor-Yonge Station this week to explain the changes to customers and gather feedback.

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