New Transport: background and attribution
Margaret Calvert and Henrik Kubel developed New Transport as a digital adaptation of the Transport lettering designed by Calvert and Jock Kinneir for British roads in the 1960s. A2-TYPE’s account separates the original road lettering from the expanded digital family and a custom 2012 government-service version.
Read the publisher’s family page for the source account and the edition currently offered. Keep a family name distinct from its particular release, width or optical branch.
Forms, styles and what to inspect
The current family offers seven weights with italics and small capitals. The foundry’s specimen identifies it as the digital adaptation approved by Calvert. A general search for Transport can refer to the original lettering or later fonts, so identify the intended resource before choosing files.
Use the original publisher specimen to inspect those features. An alternative can share a broad role without having the same letter shapes, metrics or character coverage.
Try it in a real layout
Compare short directional labels and place names at the intended viewing size. Check similar-looking characters and spacing in the actual wording. Select the appropriate licensed resource for signage rather than assuming a desktop or website package covers every use.
For independent comparisons, try Source Sans 3 and Open Sans. Use the same wording and approximate output size. The related style guide provides broader design context.
Official preview and font resources
Use A2-TYPE to try the original and investigate the files, styles and terms for your intended workflow. This site does not distribute or serve New Transport font software.
The editable alternatives here have their own source profiles and included licenses. For the difference between a font file and copied characters, read Unicode text versus fonts.
Your questions, answered.
Who designed the original Transport lettering?
Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert designed the original road lettering in the 1960s. A2-TYPE credits Calvert and Henrik Kubel for its New Transport digital adaptation.
Does the New Transport family include italics?
The current foundry family lists seven weights with italics, and its specimen also documents small capitals. Confirm the particular package and intended usage with the publisher.
Where can I inspect the original New Transport?
Use the linked A2-TYPE source. The editable comparisons on this page are separately named independent families.
Sources & background
Sources supporting this page’s explanations. Practical examples are our editorial suggestions.