Transport Service - Typography

The media that I have chosen to analyse is the National Rail Ticket from Glasgow to Whitecraigs, a commute that I make every day I go to Uni.

Font Choice: The font used on the rail ticket is a Sans Serif font with Serifs only visible in the numbers. I believe the font used on the rail tickets is 'Rail Alphabet' which was designed by Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert in 1965. It was used in most of British Rail's signage and tickets from that date on. It is very similar to that of Helvetica Medium. Their are slight differences in the peaks of the A and the roundness of the O. 


I believe it was chosen because it was easily read and also easy to print which was essential as conductors would have to print it from a small machine and also read it quickly.


Although the font is quite clear, it is also quite dated and a more modern typeface could be used, which would still have the same effect as the one currently in use.


Hierarchy: There is no clear hierarchy in this ticket as the information is all the same size and weight, except the Class and '2 Part Return'. Even though these are heavier, the hierarchy still isn't clearly visible due to the fact that the alignment and position are not specifically placed.


Usability: These tickets are used every day in the masses by all types of commuters. Although the user doesn't really need to take in the information in detail, the key information for distinguishing the ticket from that day to one from the last should be clearly visible. Also the information should be larger as elderly people also use this service and therefore must be able to see the information they need to also.


Below is my updated version. I have also changed the colour to relate to the colours now being used in the stations signs.