The typeface and TTC logo were developed during the construction of
Line 1 Yonge–University in the 1940s, perhaps by draughtsman Philip Butt, but this has not been confirmed. The original logo used during the subway's development was designed by mid-century architect
John C. Parkin and chief architect Arthur Keith. Against the wishes of Walter Paterson, the chief engineer, TTC chairman William McBrien and general manager H.C. Patten rejected the design in favour of one that was more similar to the one previously used on TTC vehicles. The font is a distinctive rectangular font composed of capital letters etched into the tiles of
Toronto subway stations opened between 1954 and 1974, as well as on signs. Over time, it was replaced by both
Helvetica and
Univers 55 on the original
Line 1 Yonge–University (from to stations) as a result of renovations to all stations along that line, except for Eglinton, ,
Summerhill,
Wellesley, trim lettering at , and various directional signs. A bold version (the later standard) of this font can be seen at every station along the
Line 2 Bloor–Danforth from to . It can also be seen at most stations north of
Bloor–Yonge station on the eastern branch of Line 1, at stations on the western branch of Line 1 from Union to St. George, and was incorporated into the renovated Bloor, Wellesley, and Union stations. The other fonts, used at stations on system extensions built from the late 1970s to the 1990s, have also been replaced with the recreated font at a few stations: the original Univers 55 at station was partially replaced with it, and a full replacement of the original fonts was done in 2017 at Kipling and 2025 at Kennedy, when they were renovated, and at and , when their names were changed from Downsview and Eglinton West in 2017 and 2025 respectively. Toronto Subway is used at all stations built from 2002 onwards—such as
Line 4 Sheppard and the
Toronto–York Spadina subway extension—as well as on all stops and stations along the rebuilt
512 St. Clair streetcar line, with the exception of the transfer terminal at station. It is also used at stations on
Line 5 Eglinton and
Line 6 Finch. The font was recreated by David Vereschagin in 2004. Because the original designer of the font is unknown, and no documentation of the font had been kept, Vereschagin digitized the font by visiting stations and making rubbings of the letters on the original
Vitrolite glass tiles as well as taking photographs. In 2011, Dominion Modern ran an exhibit on Toronto Subway at
George Brown's School of Design. This decision was made in conjunction with officially adding route numbers to the subway and RT lines. The wayfinding team also created an overhauled version of the Subway typeface called Bloor–Yonge, which includes missing numerals (which were necessary for signage for
Highway 407 station) and punctuation, as well as correcting some design issues with the existing glyphs. ==Features==