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Vintage Bus Signs Emerge as a Leading Design Trend

Vintage bus signs are great for use as decorative elements in many different locations. Old bus signs evoke fantastic memories of the past, and although they have been widely replaced by LED bus signs in modern transit vehicles, some are still being used to serve their classic purpose or as promotional tools.

Did you know that vintage bus signs were often times made out of linen rolls, many of which were produced by hand on screen printed material? By the late 1980s, modern materials like Mylar appeared on the scene, making bus blinds stronger and more durable. Machine-produced blinds ruled the decade following, until digital solutions began surfacing on the market. Today, computerized electronic displays rule most of the heavy duty market, but don’t think that roller curtains are being left behind. They are still sought after because of their price point. However, designers are finding a great use for the old used curtains, as they are widely being procured for decorative purposes in homes and commercial establishments.

Even now that LED bus signs are dominating the public transport scene, there is still a fairly broad market for vintage style bus signs and destination blinds. Not only are these vintage bus signs still installed on buses, trolleys and streetcars because of their branding versatility, but they are a popular and trendy choice for home and commercial space decor, they are also widely used for promotional purposes because they can be customized with logos and other images that LEDs can’t replicate. In the world of interior design, however, vintage roller curtain bus sign material make excellent conversation pieces when used as decorative tools in organizations large and small.

Curtain signs can add a vintage look to any space. If you are into collecting vintage bus signs, there are many individuals that sell old roller curtain sign material and even offer custom services to help you create the look you want to achieve in your design.

Today, bus companies and sign makers have upgraded to more modern means of visual communication, such as roller curtain bus signs with automated or digitized scrolling displays. These signs are widely used for all kinds of purposes, ranging from destination displays, branding and PR, advertising, and general information—all while keeping the classic appeal of authentic rolling signs. Whether you are looking for vintage bus signs for decorative use or as a classic nod to technologies of the past, these signs make a great choice.

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Passenger Safety on Public Transit: A Growing Concern

Though passenger safety regulations’ controlled by FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) and APTA (American Public Transportation Association) have mandated maximum occupancy, proper installation and safety techniques for equipment, and appropriate communication of passenger safety regulations, passenger safety on America’s public Transit is still lacking on many fronts.

Public Transit: Fraught with dangers

  • Very poor communication of passenger safety rules.
  • Stationary signs are crowded, unnoticed, and ineffective.
  • Drivers have many other responsibilities, and cannot relay safety information or stop information to each passenger without causing other hazards.

As a result of these inadequacies implementing automated systems are becoming the standard way to deal with increased passenger expectations and the rise in traffic, congestion, and other road vulnerabilities.

These systems are wide ranged and comprehensive to include Intelligent Transit Systems, Integrated Passenger Information Systems, LED Bus Signs, Automated voice announcements, visible indicators and sensors for pedestrians “pedestrian safety” and LED Stop Signs.

What are Intelligent Transit Systems (ITS)?

  • GPS-guided and automated they function to reduce driver distraction.
  • Alert drivers and dispatch to maintenance, safety, or equipment issues.

How can LED bus signs enhance your passengers’ safety and overall experience?

Integrated Passenger Information Systems

  • Display schedule, weather, and route changes.
  • Allow passengers to monitor and plan schedules.
  • Allow passengers to communicate and report issues to management.

LED bus signs (interior and exterior)

  • Interior facing to communicate to existing passengers.
  • Can include hazard alerts and inclement weather warnings.
  • Communicates safety practices and regulations with driver interaction or distraction.

Exterior facing to communicate with waiting passengers and potential clients

Also communicates with other drivers, pedestrians, and potential law enforcement
An emergency button/panic switch “silent alarm” activates the exterior signs to read EMERGENCY CALL 911 and can alert dispatch operations and emergency services.

Automated voice announcements (AVA)

  • Ensures all communication is easily seen and or/heard.
  • Ensures disabled, blind, and elderly passengers receive full communication.
  • Automated by GPS or other specific triggers with little or no driver involvement


External indicators and sensors for pedestrians “pedestrian safety”

  • Can announce and flash to pedestrians to avoid bus traffic.
  • Can alert driver to pedestrians in vehicle route.
  • Activated by turn signal.

LED stop sign

  • Can be used to increase safety for all drivers, especially school buses and paratransit vehicles without clearly marked stops.
  • Can trigger automatically based on vehicle proximity to stop.
  • Can visually and audibly warn passengers that the vehicle will be stopping prior to brakes being applied.

Contact Transign for your destination sign

For more than 55 years Transign has provided the transit industry with high quality, durable destination signs backed by superior customer service. Founded by James Youngblood in 1959 with a commitment to “Quality Products supported by Quality Customer Service.” Transign rapidly became the established market leader in a variety of innovative products for the transit industry.

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