The SFMTA may have debuted a new logo but the beloved worm-shaped squiggle that adorns Muni vehicles lives on.
SFTMA unveiled a new logo Tuesday, explaining that it brings together Muni and its parking and traffic division. The 1970s Muni “worm” will still be used throughout the system, it assured.
The agency felt it was a good time to “give a fresh feel” to the brand at a time when its two-year Strategic Plan was released. Plus, they found that less than 12 percent of residents could name the agency in charge of transportation and half of the 2017 Muni Customer Satisfaction Survey respondents said they did not understand the SFMTA’s responsibilities.
“We feel that the new SFMTA logo stays true to our roots and San Francisco’s transit-first policy, while still reflecting a modern and more inclusive transportation sensibility,” SFMTA says.
Some folks sounded off on Twitter, mostly in support of the new logo. A San Francisco Examiner reporter even relayed a backhanded compliment.
One frequent public commenter, Herbert Weiner, was a fan of the logo but not for the reason you’d think:
“I think it represents the fluctuation of (Muni) service, which goes up and down and all around,” Weiner said.
— Joe Fitz Rodriguez (@FitzTheReporter) May 1, 2018
The blue color came into question, with one user finding that it’s too similar to BART and could be confusing while another said, “Dodger blue? Really? Try again!” Whoever is running the SFMTA Twitter account has been on top of the responses.
We understand your concern but would point out that is is also “parking and traffic” blue in the tradition of the former Department of Parking and Traffic as well as Golden State Warriors blue 🏀😁
— SFMTA (@sfmta_muni) May 2, 2018
The Dodgers don’t have a monopoly on blue 🙂 The blue was chosen to put us more in sync with other city agencies that utilize the color, as well as an homage to departments within our agency –such as DPT– that have had blue as their primary color.
— SFMTA (@sfmta_muni) May 2, 2018
SFMTA has asked the public for suggestions in the past, and SF Weekly had some fun with ideas in 2012. Here’s one of our renditions:
Does the color remind you too much of the Dodgers? Is the “worm” revival comforting? Tell us your thoughts.