Skip to content.

Begin page content.

Release date: SFMTA Receives Grand Prize APTA AdWheel Award for Cable Car Signs

*** Press Release ***

SFMTA Receives Grand Prize APTA AdWheel Award for Cable Car Signs

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) learned Monday, October 8, 2007, that its series of new cable car signs has been honored as the best in print promotion by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) at APTA’s Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Last year, the SFMTA created and installed a series of signs with bold images that represent the world-famous cable cars and emphasize their importance as San Francisco landmarks. The new cable car signs were installed at the Hyde Street and Powell Street turnarounds and at the end of the California line last fall and winter.

These signs provide a strong visual point of reference for cable car customers, especially visitors to San Francisco. The SFMTA wanted images that would stand out and convey clear messages for tourists visiting the ever-busy cable car end points. The cable cars have been designated a National Historic Landmark and carry a ridership of over 7 million per year.

Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr., Executive Director/CEO stated, "The cable cars are iconic; visitors come from all over the world to see San Francisco and ride the cable cars. Our marketing group has done an outstanding job making the key boarding areas more attractive and inviting for residents and our guests."

APTA presented AdWheel Awards for public transportation marketing, advertising, promotion, and communications, used in whole or in part between June 1, 2006 and June 1, 2007, in four categories: print, electronic media, campaign, and special event. Entries were divided into five groups based on the size and type of the organization to ensure fairness. The SFMTA competed in Group 4, public transportation systems with more than 30 million passenger trips annually.

The judging was conducted by independent judging panels that reviewed all entries and evaluated the print materials based on the following criteria:

  • Clarity of Message and Information
  • Attractiveness and Use of Design, Layout, and Type
  • Attention-Getting and Holding Qualities
  • Overall Impact and Impression
  • Effectiveness, Success in Achieving Purpose/Goals

stylized graphic of a cable car traversing a hill

stylized graphic of operator turning a cable car by Beach and Hyde

telephone311 Free language assistance / 免費語言協助 / Ayuda gratuita con el idioma / Бесплатная помощь переводчиков / Trợ giúp Thông dịch Miễn phí / Assistance linguistique gratuite / 無料の言語支援 / 무료 언어 지원 / Libreng tulong para sa wikang Tagalog / คว“มช่วยเหลือท“งภ“ษ“โดยไม่เส’ยค่าใช้จ่าย

 

©2000-2013 San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. All rights reserved.