"When we undertook a timetable redesign for Metro's 200+ routes, we quickly found that this important rider tool carries strong customer opinions. The main challenge was improving usability without upending a well-oiled production process or radically altering what customers already liked about the design. We took the design from Pagemaker to InDesign, overhauling all the page elements, from typography to charts and maps, even recommending language improvements. We then set up InDesign training sessions for the schedule-makers to introduce the new design standards. At the same time we worked with our print shop to improve paper and ink quality in pursuit of the best end-result for the 14 million timetables printed each year. We also conducted focus groups with day-to-day riders to verify that our visual aesthetic translated to real-world user practicality."