Six common reactions to the proposal to rename Toronto subway lines
In two weeks, the TTC board will consider replacing the names of Toronto subway lines with numbers to make things less confusing for tourists and occasional users. If the proposal is accepted, the awkwardly named Yonge–University–Spadina Line will become 1; the Bloor-Danforth Line will be 2; the Scarborough RT will be 3; the Sheppard Line will be 4; and some future line will be 5 (a system that conveniently eliminates the Downtown Relief Line’s nomenclature issues). Unsurprisingly, TTC users and transit enthusiasts feel strongly about the idea. Here, the six main reactions, from tentative enthusiasm to outright mockery.
@LashGroupCA Think a good idea, new users get mixed up on YUS line with south, north etc.
— kim halfyard (@leathercouch) October 7, 2013
@grescoe wayfinding signs in the TTC are shockingly bad. Compact icons for each line can help enable more and clearer signage.
— Jonathan Fuerth (@jfuerth) October 8, 2013
@bryg Seriously?! Looks like someone spent about 5 minutes using Illustrator's basic tools and then said "Done!"
— André Dion (@adion) October 7, 2013
Sooo the TTC wants to use #s instead of names to make Toronto's subway system less confusing. …all 2 lines of it.
— Richie Favalaro (@RichieFavalaro) October 6, 2013
New #TTC subway icons. "Future Line" Hilarious! I needed that laugh today. http://t.co/isBNgD6SM7 via @blogto
— FetaLovingGreek (@FetaLovingGreek) October 7, 2013
@grescoe Rebranding the subway lines… arranging deck chairs on the Titanic, non?
— Meg Ecclestone (@mjecclestone) October 7, 2013
TTC is renaming our subway lines with numbers because FOUR lines is too confusing. Now I know where the TTC actually spends it's money.
— Nam Nguyen (@nn_hoang) October 8, 2013
@bradTTC @larrylarry @joel_to @ttcchair @chrisbateman Please please use colours, not numbers. So much more friendly and memorable. : )
— dave meslin (@meslin) October 7, 2013
by COLOR would be better RT @blogTO: Bye-bye YUS. The #TTC wants to re-name our subway lines with numbers. What do you think? Good idea?
— videojey (@videojey) October 7, 2013
TTC considering switching from station names to binary numbers: for example, Bathurst station would be '0111010010'
— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) October 5, 2013
@blogTO I agree. We should be innovative and name them after expired #Blackberry mobiles. Truly Ontario.
— jlawl (@jlawl) October 8, 2013
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/reactions-toronto-subways-renaming/&title=Six common reactions to the proposal to rename Toronto subway lines&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/subway-numbers.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_240073" align="aligncenter" width="590"] (Image: @TTCchair)[/caption]
In two weeks, the TTC board will consider replacing the names of Toronto subway lines with numbers to make things less confusing for tourists and occasional users. If the proposal is accepted, the awkwardly named Yonge–University–Spadina Line will become 1; the Bloor-Danforth Line will be 2; the Scarborough RT will be 3; the Sheppard Line will be 4; and some future line will be 5 (a system that conveniently eliminates the Downtown Relief Line’s nomenclature issues). Unsurprisingly, TTC users and transit enthusiasts feel strongly about the idea. Here, the six main reactions, from tentative enthusiasm to outright mockery.
1. Cautious optimism
https://twitter.com/leathercouch/status/387224676331556864
https://twitter.com/jfuerth/status/387544349980258304
2. Design nerd outrage
https://twitter.com/adion/status/387277616220491776
3. TTC bashing
https://twitter.com/RichieFavalaro/status/386894080828928000
https://twitter.com/FetaLovingGreek/status/387275209960456192
4. More TTC bashing
https://twitter.com/mjecclestone/status/387285329444876288
https://twitter.com/nn_hoang/status/387425708579893248
5. Alternative suggestions
https://twitter.com/meslin/status/387319990178689024
https://twitter.com/videojey/status/387228860506312704
6. Utter mockery
https://twitter.com/jessehawken/status/386530682505162752
https://twitter.com/jlawl/status/387401325085880321){kind=link}
Why waste millions of dollars in replacing meaningful names with meaningless numbers? The number system is used by cities with an extensive network and Toronto’s meagre subway system (not even worth calling a network). This is just designed to boost up support for the Downtown Relief Line by removing the word Downtown from the name of the line. This is pure deception by Andy Byford. Stop wasting money on playing politics with line names when your stations are breaking down and instead spend money on inspecting the structures of stations and repairing and reinforcing them and cleaning them and otherwise making them more user friendly.
You know what would be amazing?! if they finished the so called maintenance they’ve been doing from Eglinton to Finch for the last 6+ years and have it back to normal running hours. I’m sick of this bullshit the TTC is feeding this city. Constant break downs, delays and yearly fare hikes and this is what they come up with? lets rename the subway lines? honestly f**k off and get your shit together. The TTC is holding the city hostage with its monopoly. I for one would love to see a private company come in and make a bid to take over the TTC.
Ask York region how things go when they outsource transportation services.
When I moved to Toronto last year it took me all of 10 seconds to figure out the subway lines. This is really unnecessary.
I support the TTC working to make the system easier and more user friendly! let’s get behind some of the positive changes andy byford is bringing to the TTC, not just get angry that everything with a very broken system can’t get fixed at once.