On Wed, 21 Dec 2005 22:02:54 +0000, Ian Jelf
wrote:

In message , Matt Wheeler
writes
I suspect the argument is that those disabled with poor eyesight will
find it easier to read a destination in a large font rather than
having to try and read a smaller font which is necessitated by having
1 or more via points listed in the same space.
Yes I suspect that as well.

The problem is as another poster has pointed out, the logic is that if a
person with certain type of disability can't do something (in this case
read a small "via" point), then *nobody* is allowed to do it.

The upshot of this is the truly stupid situation where we now have 13s
saying simply "Aldwych" or "Golders Green" [1] with no indication of the
very important places they serve en route.

That said, I've not seen an official statement that the removal of "via"
points is being done for this reason. Can anyone else (Paul C?)
confirm or deny this?

this has been debated on various Yahoo groups at some length. The
official explanation is that in order to comply with the DDA regulations
TfL have decided the best way to do that is to make the ultimate
destination and route number as large as possible. They also have to be
at the bottom of the blind box and beside one another. This obviously
changes the typical double deck blind design as the ultimate is
typically at the bottom and the via points and number are above.

No one can explain - other than TfL having taken a policy decision - why
via points have to go. The obvious comment is that the font size cannot
be as large as the ultimate but I have to say "who cares" if the
information that has deemed to be of *most* value is in the right size.
I guess someone, somewhere would argue "discrimination" if the font
sizes differed although this has to happen where the ultimate
destination requires a "qualifying point" to correct identify where in a
locality the bus terminates. It is worth noting that alternative
displays which were DDA compliant and retained via points were developed
by First London and shown to DFT reps and TfL. They were rejected. It is
also worth noting that Lothian Buses - who have comprehensive blind
displays not unlike London ones - do have a DDA compliant display that
retains all the features of the old blinds. Now someone go and work
that out because I can't.

I find the whole thing immensely depressing. I don't hold with the
argument about via points having been passed en route and being
confusing. I would agree that London's displays are typically very
informative and helpful. However it seems they are to be dumped in the
dustbin of old LT design that is no longer deemed necessary for today's
modern world.

One other aspect is that despite the furore London has had single line
displays on buses for many years and no one has noticed. Have a look at
the latest Buses Focus about Dennis Darts and see how many London
versions have a single line destination with no via points. You might be
surprised.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!