Keep Metro Station Names Short
Dear Mrs. Hudgins:
Action Committee for Transit (ACT), a 25-year old advocacy group that focuses on transit in Montgomery County, would like to comment on the policy of Metro station names.
Over the next six years, Metro is planning three major service enhancements that will require updates to station signage and to the system map in FY2012, FY2014, and FY2017. As Metro updates its map, many station areas may want to take this opportunity to have additional locations listed in their station names. However, ACT believes that the original policy of short names (no more than 19 characters, except transfer stations which should be no longer than 13 characters) is better for the overall system.
The original map is iconic. It is simple, clean, and easy to understand. To quote Lance Wyman, who designed the original Metro map 40 years ago and is redesigning the new one, “As the station names have gotten longer over the years they become much more difficult to understand at a glance. That doesn't help.” A simple map helps riders, including the millions of annual visitors to our nation’s capital, understand the overall system.
Within Montgomery County, only the Grosvenor-Strathmore station has a “double” name. While ACT prefers the shorter, original station name of Grosvenor, if the station retains its double name, we ask that “Grosvernor” be kept in the primary position. As for lengthening any other names, such as changing Forest Glen to Forest Glen – Holy Cross Hospital, again ACT asks Metro to preserve the original, shorter station name: Forest Glen.
Sincerely,
Tina Slater
President, Action Committee for Transit