Submitted by Diego, who says:

What do you think of this bus map from Bad Zurzach, Switzerland? In my opinion, Swiss transit maps are generally very readable and well designed, but this one just looks impractical. I find it to be very difficult to follow the routes of the lines (line 2 in particular, which also stops at Thermalbad three times). It also lacks a title and a legend. Still, I have to hand it to the designer for actually getting it crammed into so little space.

Transit Maps says:

First off, it’s important to note that the town of Bad Zurzach is pretty tiny, with the eponymous thermal baths being less than a 500 metre walk from the railway station. The buses used are similarly small, and are charmingly known as the Zurzibus. Route 1 simply shuttles people between the station and the baths on an hourly basis (so if you miss it, you may as well walk!), Route 2 (which actually only calls at Thermalbad twice) also runs once an hour, while Lines 3 and 4 operate on a dire two-hour headway. So, the buses provide a service for those who might need it – tourists, people with mobility problems, etc. – but it’s certainly not what you’d call essential.

The map itself is almost adorably cute in its execution – the town reduced down to absolute minimalism – but I’d agree that it isn’t exactly easy to read. Fortunately, the brochure it appears in also contains individual line diagrams for each route, which are considerably easier to understand when the four routes have been disentangled. The individual maps also include legends, which explain that the dashed lines for Route 4 indicate seasonal service, not infrequent service. In summer, it goes to Regibad, an outdoor pool; while in winter, it goes to the cemetery instead. That’s a heck of a metaphor…

The final word: An almost absurdly simplified overview of a very small bus network, fortunately supported by better line diagrams. Two-and-a-half stars.

Source: Bad Zurzach Tourism website