Port Authority debuts new design for public transport signage

More maps, detailed schedules, larger fonts — Port Authority of Allegheny County officials rolled out a sampling Thursday of their new system-wide signs.

Signs will begin appearing as early as April at select bus stops Downtown and T stations in Downtown and the North Shore during the first phase of the implementation.

“Making the system more user-friendly is a worthwhile goal, especially when you're at a stop and you don't know when the next bus is coming. This will have a placard showing a schedule and a map,” said Molly Nichols, spokeswoman for Pittsburghers for Public Transit.

Port Authority approved paying $900,000 to contractor CHK America, based in Santa Barbara, Calif., to design and implement the system. The company has designed signage for transit systems in Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and Nashville, among others.

“The biggest challenge is making riders understand how to use the system. If we do it right, Port Authority will get positive feedback,” said Rick Wood, CEO of CHK America. “(The current signs) are typical of what we've seen installed many years ago.”

The new signs will include metal flags on poles designating bus stops with routes, similar to the signs now, except bigger with larger fonts. There will be a sign at eye-level detailing stop times by day and maps showing the locations of other stops in the area.

The signs will reference Port Authority's real-time app that pinpoints buses via GPS. The T will be equipped with GPS this year.

“It's really a great opportunity to make the system much more friendly,” Port Authority spokeswoman Heather Pharo said.

The busways will be included in a second phase, and the rest of the system will follow.

Bobby Kerlik is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7886 or bkerlik@tribweb.com.