We have listened to years of feedback and are excited about the complete redesign of the wayfinding system for our rail transit network - SEPTA Metro. Our strategic plan - SEPTA Forward - has a vision of creating a transit system that is easily accessible and safe for everyone - regardless of their familiarity, language, or ability. To achieve this goal - we aim to provide the appropriate information in the right place and at the right time.
Over the past few years - we have conducted extensive research, held discussions with riders, engaged with stakeholders and learned directly from those who find it difficult to navigate our transportation system. Thanks to your continued engagement - we are now preparing to implement significant changes. We have chosen letters as abbreviations for our Metro lines - as they are short, easy to remember, and universally recognized - regardless of language, literacy, or visual impairment. By using letters - we can build upon the existing system - making it easier for everyone to navigate the network. We believe that this change will significantly enhance the experience of our riders - and we can't wait for you to witness it in action.
As you can imagine - saying “Subway, elevated, and trolleys,” or “The Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line, Norristown High Speed Line, Media-Sharon Hill Lines/Routes 101 and 102, and the Routes 10, 11, 13, 15, 34, and 36 Trolleys” is not easy - even if you’ve lived your whole life in Philly. While these lines may look different - they all provide the same type of service. We know the term “Metro” is new to Philly - but it does the job. Plus - think of what you can do with all the time you’ll save saying it!
Making the transition to a clearer nomenclature system for our trains is not only necessary but also an opportunity to enhance our service. The use of letters - such as "L" for the Market-Frankford Line - is not only familiar to our riders but also enables us to plan for future expansion and operational changes. By adding a number to the letter - we can consistently and predictably refer to different types of "L" trains. Our new signage will make it easier to navigate our system - with consistent information about the train's direction. Imagine always knowing that an eastbound L train will take you to "Frankford," while a westbound train will always take you to "69th Street."
The term "Trolley" is a word commonly used in Philadelphia - but there is no agreement on how to refer to the important routes that connect the western neighborhoods to Center City. These routes pass through a traffic-bypassing tunnel. Some people call them Subway-Surface Trolleys - others refer to them as Tunnel Trolleys or West Philly Trolleys. If you have a good memory - you might remember their numbers: 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36. However - under a new system - they will be known as the T lines. Previously - these five routes were considered five separate lines. But under the new system - they will be regarded as one line - the T line, with five different services: T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5. By adding a number to the letter - we can talk about different types of T lines in a consistent and predictable way. One thing that won't change is the color green - these trolleys are commonly associated with this color.
Have you seen the new signs around? If you're curious - you can check out the new wayfinding signage that's being installed by going to Drexel Station at 30th Street. We understand that these improvements are highly anticipated - but we have good news - you'll start seeing more Metro signage later this year.