Official Map: Subte, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2011

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This map is another fine example of how to integrate a transit diagram onto a street grid. The streets are shown in a subordinate grey at a thinner line weight, and fade away to nothing when no longer needed. The bright, bold subway lines stand out well against this background, and lots of important information is clearly marked.

One piece of information that I don’t think I’ve seen on any other transit map: a line through the middle of a circular station marker denotes that the platforms are central (island) platforms, rather than side platforms. By extension, this must mean that the “half-circles” at Alberti and Pasco stations on the “A Line” denote that there is only one platform (in one direction only?) at those stations.

Have we been there? No

What we like: Clean, crisp, distinctive design. The inset for the “P Line” – a connecting tram service (PreMetro) – works really well, filling in an otherwise blank space and allowing the map to remain in a compact rectangular form. Really like the simplicity of the transfer station symbols.

What we don’t like: The icons for main line railway stations seem a little clunky and not as well thought-out as the other icons. And are they even really necessary? The blue “transfer to railway station” icons serve the same purpose and are far more distinctive. The “U Line” marker looks out of place with no route line to accompany it.

Our rating: Excellent and distinctive design – this map looks like no other transit map, with a unique style all of its own. Four-and-a-half-stars.

Source: Official Subte website

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