Maps & Signs
MTC and transit agency partners are developing new maps and signs to help make transit journeys easier to understand for both existing and new riders.
New transit signs and maps are being developed for use across all nine Bay Area counties. They show transit service information in different ways than before. For example, they emphasize the names of the services and how often they run, while de-prioritizing the names and logos of individual transit agencies. Standardized colors, line styles and labels indicate how often a bus or train arrives at a particular stop.
A New Unified Bus Stop Sign for the Region
This summer, MTC has been working with all Bay Area bus agencies to create a unified bus stop design. Almost 20 transit agencies offer bus service in the Bay Area, and each one has its own bus stop sign style that looks different from the next. These design differences can be confusing for riders because they must learn new signs when they travel to different places.
The Regional Mapping and Wayfinding Project aims to make it easier to navigate and explore the Bay Area using transit by creating a single, unified bus stop sign design that all transit agencies will use. No matter where Bay Area riders are and where they are going, the signs will look consistent and convey the same information in the same way.
We Want to Hear From You
Do you have comments you would like to share with us? Please submit them via the comment form on this page.
New Maps & Signs Evaluated at Test Locations
New maps and signs were installed at test locations in El Cerrito and Santa Rosa in late 2024 and early 2025 to gather public feedback. The Santa Rosa Transit Mall, the nearby Santa Rosa Downtown SMART station and the El Cerrito del Norte BART station are served by multiple transit agencies and a mixture of bus and rail options.
Results of the evaluation report released in June 2025 indicate the new test maps and signs significantly improved riders’ ability to use transit and to find needed information.
Detailed Sample Maps & Signs
Regional Transit Connections
The regional map informs riders of public transit connections around the nine-county Bay Area and is designed for discovery, awareness and curiosity about Bay Area transit. The map shows the service areas of all Bay Area transit agencies and highlights bus, train and ferry routes that connect the region’s cities and counties.
See the regional transit connections map (PDF).
The selection of routes shown on the regional map is guided by specific criteria to impartially balance legibility and utility for riders across the Bay Area - see the full criteria for inclusion.
Local Transit Connections
Local transit connections maps inform riders of all nearby transit options around a specific stop and how frequently they operate.
Neighborhood Maps
Neighborhood maps provide a view of the area around a transit stop, showing how to make connections to other nearby transit facilities and points of interest within walking distance.
Facility Maps
Facility maps show riders where to board connecting transit routes and access station amenities.
Line Diagrams
Line diagrams guide riders to the correct train platform and display stations served down the line.
Pedestrian Guide Signs
Pedestrian guide signs help people as they walk or roll between transit facilities that are some distance apart.
Bus Stop Signs
Bus stop signs inform riders of their current location, route destination and key service characteristics using standardized colors and font sizes.
View a larger version of a sample basic bus stop sign (PDF).
Facility Name & Directional Signs
A facility name and directional sign on a train or other transit platform shows the name of the facility, directions to the exits, and the services and destinations that use that platform.
Service Frequency
One focus of the new maps and signs is service frequency, which is how often buses, trains and ferries run. Bus service frequencies are shown using different colors: red for more often, blue for less often. The same colors are used on maps and on bus stop signs, providing a consistent experience for transit riders.
Currently, the regional approach shows 1-10 minute frequency using a dark red color, 11-15 minute frequency using a light red color, 16-30 minute frequency using a light blue color, and 31+ minute frequency using a dark blue color. They are included in the local transit, neighborhood, facility maps and bus stop signs.
New bus stop sign designs will adjust this slightly, with dark blue redefined as 16-30 minute and light blue for 31+ minute frequency. This way, darker shades will consistently mean more frequent service.
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