graphic design

I know there's a general dearth of Metrolink news on TransitRiderOC (I'm not a regular rider) but I noticed something interesting in some of Metrolink's recent publications. After nearly 2 decades with the same logo and trainset appearance, the commuter rail agency seems to be revamping its image. Above is a photo I took from one of their monthly full-color Metrolink Matters newsletters, and to the right is a photo I took of one of their trains idled at San Bernardino Station, sporting a new typeface for Metrolink. 

Anyone have any inside info on this upcoming branding change? I'm especially interested in hearing the rationale behind the change and their design considerations. The swirls make the trains look a lot more interesting but I'm not too keen on the BankGothic-esque typeface.

EDIT: OCTA bus rider Tony Cynor just let me know that Metrolink has planned for this since last year (in these agenda minutes), because they're ordering new cab cars anyways and needed to submit a design. Their chosen design proposal is shown below.

And, on the left took a photo of a Metrolink ticket I purchased for Anaheim Canyon Station, which sports the new typeface.

It seems like the design is set in stone already. Tell me, what do you think about the new design?

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Public transit — especially in Santa Clara County — suffers a very negative image because it's billed as a form of transportation for the disabled, the impaired, the poor, or the senior who gave up driving. It's billed as difficult to use. It's billed as “ghetto” and unsavory. Though there are lots and lots of factors that make transit very unattractive, let's focus on one thing: does it look sexy? read more→