To communicate clearly, we’ve developed a new, accessible vocabulary – letters, numbers, colors, and symbols – that can be understood no matter who you are or what language you speak.
Letters & Numbers
We know it’s always going to be the “Broad Street Line,” just like we say “Schuylkill Expressway” even though all the road signs say “I-76”. That’s fine with us. The point is to create signage that is easy to follow no matter who you are, what language you speak, or how well you know SEPTA. Using letters, numbers, and colors is about as easy as it gets.
We’re introducing letters for these lines, and numbers to refer to their services. For example, the Broad Street Line [B] is the B, while the local train is the B1.
Colors
We’re not changing what’s already working: we’re sticking with blue for the Market-Frankford Line [L], orange for the Broad Street Line [B], and green for the trolleys that run under Market Street. However, other trolleys – the Route 15 and the Media-Sharon Hill Lines [D] – will each receive a new unique color to avoid confusion.
Symbol Set
We’ve also developed a new set of related symbols to make messages easy to read at a glance, and to help non-native English speakers find their way.
Market-Frankford Line [L]
brighter blue
Broad Street Line [B]
no change
Subway-Surface Tunnels
brighter green
Route 15 Trolley
new color
Media-Sharon Hill Line [D]
new color
Norristown High Speed Line [M]
clearer purple
