Zurich Public Transport Updates Typography to Slash Licensing Costs and Improve Digital Legibility
Zurich Public Transport (ZVV) is overhauling the typography across its signage and digital displays to combat rising licensing fees and enhance user experience. The agency is transitioning to a novel typeface to avoid the escalating costs associated with its previous visual identity.
The decision follows a shift in the ownership of the font ZVV had utilized for more than 20 years. After the rights to the original typeface were resold, the agency faced price increases, which were especially significant for digital supports. This shift underscores the substantial impact that software and font licensing agreements can have on the operational budgets of large-scale public infrastructure.
To resolve these costs, ZVV has opted for Brown Narrow, a typeface designed by a Swiss designer and managed by a Zurich-based company. By moving to this locally managed solution, the transport authority is projected to save tens of thousands of francs over the next five years.
Beyond the financial benefits, the update provides a technical upgrade in readability. The new font is specifically designed to be more legible on digital screens than the previous version. To ensure that the change does not disrupt the user experience for commuters, the typeface was engineered to closely resemble the original style.
The new typography is currently being integrated progressively across all ZVV communication supports.
