Re earlier discussion about this topic related to UPX and anticipation of the Pan Am games -
While at Pearson today I poked around to look at the signage. My POV was not so much geared to the average Torontonian, but whether a tired and frazzled air traveller who has never been to Toronto before can easily find the city bus. Here's my less than positive review:
First of all, incoming travellers have to find the city bus platform. Here's the area around the doorway - the last heated/air conditioned/lighted point before leaving the building. You want the incoming traveller to breathe a sigh of relief and say "Whew...we made it". Does this cry "You have found the city bus!" ? At least you know you can buy a Coke and a sandwich so you won't starve if you are stranded without a bus!
This is where travellers most need good information, but there is no TTC route map, nor is there any mention of GO, BT, or Miway - other than the overhead sign, which displays only their corporate logo, which the traveller from afar won't recognize.
The TTC dispensers don't sell individual tokens - I sold a woman one out of pure sympathy. And the machines are not well marked, you wouldn't immediately conclude that you should stop and buy a token before heading out to the platforms. Why is there no "BUY CITY BUS TICKET HERE" sign?
Lastly, while all the TTC signage is regulation, the whole thing has no visual focus especially when placed next to that monstrous Coke machine. The first rule of graphics presentation is - consider your presentation within the wider context. The TTC signage should be larger than the Coke machine's.
Now look at what travellers find when they go out onto the bus platform. It's very dark - my iPhone actually improved the scene over the naked eye. None of the signage is illuminated. The GTAA standard graphics for the specific service - BT in this case - has a tiny font. GO and TTC have larger signs - the white TTC sign is visible - but these only have the corporate logo, which means nothing to someone from afar. GTAA needs to get serious about helping the transit agencies say "Here we are!".
The designation of area S as the place you find Public Transit is dumb - it's actually down at the end of the platform, and it's really badly lit. Nowhere in the Airport Terminal did I find a sign that said "Looking for the public transit? Proceed to Area S". It's totally irrelevant. Why was it installed?
Looking closer at the TTC area, which has had the most thought and effort put into it - the route map is next to a garbage can, discouraging close up viewing. The map belongs back indoors, where people figure out their next step and buy their tickets and maybe ask for help...and where it's warm and quiet. The frazzled arrival doesn't need to be out here in the cold wind, trying to talk over the traffic and plane noise.
Note that the route map is filthy. And unlit. Most importantly, there is no "YOU ARE HERE" dot on the map. A lot of TTC route mappage on the system lacks this. To anyone navigating an unfamiliar city for the first time, this is the most important bit of information on a map. TTC signage policy should put one on every map they display.
As for the other properties, why do they have none of this? Anyone looking for BT or Miway needs all the same supporting information.
It looks like TTC policy has prevailed with respect to the stop itself - it's the standard TTC logo for stop, and it's pretty self explanatory. A little clearer signage that points to the 192 Rocket - "BUS TO TORONTO SUBWAY" - would be better. How you explain the 52 Lawrence route, I don't know. I like large capital letters for signs, and the universal logos would help too. Again, that familiar TTC winged logo is great for us locals, but means nothing (yet) to the new visitor.
My last complaint is the temporary route information that has been tied to the sign. This is standard TTC practice, but it blocks much of the sign. And it looks crappy. (At least they didn't use duct tape). TTC needs to revise their standard bus stop pole and sign to have a bracket or window specifically for holding temporary information cards - these do get used fairly often. In this case, the temporary information message is simply that service has been added during the Pan Am games. Who needs to know this?
Take a good look at this picture, and consider it as a traveller's first impression of our transit. We're gritty, and our system is tied together with string. Well, at least they are getting the unvarnished truth.
PS - Yeah, I'm ranting a bit, but I hope you get my point. Wayfinding is not something we should leave to the graphic arts elite. It's not about fonts or rigid adherence to the corporate graphics standard. You can do just as well with common sense, and by standing back and look at things in context. I think TTC and the other agencies can do a lot better.
- Paul
