From Harford County government:
Harford Transit proudly announces the first stage of an exciting effort to rebrand and enhance its network of public buses. Earlier this month, the agency began rolling out the new “Link” bus name and logo on its existing buses and bus stop signage. The new name and logo will be highly visible and easy for the general public to recognize.
The rebranding is the result of recommendations from focus groups of current bus riders and the general public. Citizens overwhelmingly felt that Harford Transit needed to increase its visibility and awareness within the community, as well as improve system cohesiveness and enhance existing services.
To assist with the project, Harford Transit turned to the Alariis Design Group, a graphic design team of Harford Community College students Jim Alley, Yuri Butler, and Rachel Vrankin, with the assistance of their professor Kenneth Jones. The students gained valuable real-world experience through this in-class project, and Harford County Government was able to minimize costs.
“Harford Transit provides an essential service to Harford County residents,” stated County Executive David R. Craig. “As our county’s population increases, it becomes even more vital to provide a cohesive and effective public transportation system, organized with riders in mind. With its new Link concept, Harford Transit is making great strides in enhancing the system and making it more user friendly, not only for those who are transit-dependent, but also for those who may never have considered public transportation in our county as an option. I encourage all Harford Countians to ‘Think Link.’”
Throughout the process of improving the County’s bus system, Harford Transit Administrator Jim Ports held meetings with elected officials, advisory groups, chambers of commerce, associations, and local boards to discuss not only the new Link name, but also proposed route enhancements and other changes that were being considered.
“We are very pleased with the public response we’ve received so far,” stated Ports. “The plain blue buses we used to have were often mistaken as buses only for seniors or for the disabled community, and were usually just referred to as ‘those blue buses.’ Not many knew they were part of a county-wide public transportation system. Now we’re gaining recognition and we hope to increase ridership. The new look to Harford Transit’s buses is only a small part of our overall plan to increase the quality of services offered to our citizens.”
Over the next few months Harford Transit will unveil Link’s new schedules and mapping, including an interactive web-based mapping system, in an effort to increasevisibility and ease of use for the rider. All materials were designed in-house.
Harford Transit is a division within the Harford County Department of Community Services. Its Link public bus system operates nine fixed routes Monday through Friday (except County holidays), serving Aberdeen, Abingdon, Bel Air, Belcamp, Churchville, Edgewood, Havre de Grace, Joppatowne, Perryman and points in between. Harford Transit also links to MARC Train services to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Additionally, Harford Transit operates paratransit (curb-to-curb) service and a new grant-funded extender service which includes weekday evening hours for qualified individuals.
The standard fare for the general public and children 3 years and older is $1.00 each way. Reduced fares of $0.50 are available for senior citizens 60 years and older, Medicare Card holders, and persons with disabilities. One fixed route transfer per fare is available at no extra charge, and discounted 12-ride tickets are also available. Visit www.harfordtransitlink.org for more information.
Having Harford students do the design on this project is a great symbiotic relationship that helps give our students valuable real-world experience and helps keep government costs down. Terrific cooperation by all involved to make this happen!
No picture?