Why is public transit upholstery so ugly?

[JoeWoah]

The DC Metro is fully carpeted and the cars were designed and made in Italy. That's style! Other flavors: The handi-capable sans carpet (few and far between):

Bench seating with straps (Orange line?):

The newer Red and Blues:

 

[fcuknu]

Originally Posted by Kent Wang

This is not so bad but the colors look rather out-dated, something out of the 60s-70s.

Why don't transit authorities just go with a navy or grey?

These cars are old, this is the R62 train which is long retired. They were first used back in the early 80s. They are still used on a couple of lines.

 

[Kent Wang]

I did rather like the DC metro cars. I'm now starting a collection of these. Not public transit, private buses: Chinatown bus (2000 Coach): New York Javits Center shuttle bus

 

[Artisan Fan]

I have often wondered this as well.

 

[ginlimetonic]

Sydney, Australia

RailCorp spends about $1 million a year on graffiti removal. Figures on the CityRail website show there were 35,627 recorded graffiti attacks in November of last year.

 

[RyJ Maduro]

Originally Posted by Kent Wang

Originally Posted by ginlimetonic

Apparently, some intrepid, slightly obsessive-compulisive artist wanted the inside to match the outside.

 

[jobro]

Originally Posted by ginlimetonic

Sydney, Australia

RailCorp spends about $1 million a year on graffiti removal.

Figures on the CityRail website show there were 35,627 recorded graffiti attacks in November of last year.

I actually find the colour softer on the eyes than the boring grey metal.

 

[ClaretandBlue]

Chicago's is drab, but better than some, I see.

 

[Kent Wang]

Anti-immigrant group confuses bus seats for women wearing burkas

 

[NorCal]

Damn Seat Terrorists!!

 

[Kent Wang]

Sitting pretty: London transport fabrics over the decades – in pictures

These are all pretty ugly. Why don't we use some of the patterns used in tweed, like herringbone, with colored specks?

 

[FlyingMonkey]

Sitting pretty: London transport fabrics over the decades – in pictures

These are all pretty ugly. Why don't we use some of the patterns used in tweed, like herringbone, with colored specks?

I really don't agree that they are ugly at all. London's moquettes are classics of their kind, many created by significant artists and designers like Paul Nash. And there are very good reasons why transit fabrics are the kinds of patterns and styles that they are. See this recent article: https://www.citylab.com/design/2019...-seat-cover-textile-patterns-moquette/583045/