Strangely, I’ve never talked about this system map on the blog before. So this is the map that’s available for download as a PDF on the STC’s website and basically, it’s a giant pile of spaghetti thrown on the page. The centre of the map is so cramped and crowded that labels almost overlap each other as well as the route lines. No explanation is given for the “MB” icon near some stations (it’s to represent […]
It’s always fun to do a “before and after” comparison, and here’s a fantastic example of how a well-drawn diagrammatic map can offer enhanced system legibility over a more geographically-based map. The old map (top), dating from October 2014, is pretty terrible work. Towns and cities are in the right geographical location, but are simply joined by straight lines, which creates a difficult-to-read “spider web” of interconnecting and overlapping routes. Rail lines are shown as both purple […]
Submitted by SounderBruce, who says: Sound Transit has put up the first of the new Link Light Rail maps in its trains here in Seattle, featuring the new “Red Line” branding that will be phased in by the time the second line (the Blue Line, formerly East Link) opens in 2023. The two “Coming Soon” signs are covering 3 new stations that are opening in 2016, extending the existing line up to the Univ. of […]
Brought to my attention by Russell Morris on Twitter, this is a new official TfL map that shows the approximate walking time between London Underground stations in Zones 1 and 2. While it’s nice to see that TfL has recognised the desire from the public for alternative maps of the network (see also the recent official TfL “geographic” map), this is about as low budget as a “new” map could possibly be. It’s basically Zones 1 […]
Sent my way by Nick Stylianou, here’s a map out of Melbourne, Victoria designed to support a major revamp of weekend night time transit in and around that city. For me, this piece continues a worrying recent trend of night service maps that have poor contrast and legibility, simply for the sake of pushing a dark “night” colour theme. This one even has freakin’ stars in the background, which is starting to verge on the ridiculous. […]
Submitted by Edward Russell, who says: This is the Cape Town Metrorail map as posted in the Cape Town railway station. It’s a pretty straight forward map with the lines radiating out to the east of the CBD, though it has some complexity with lines of the same colour operating multiple courses to the same terminal: for example, the green and blue lines. Thoughts? Transit Maps says: Despite the “Metrorail” moniker, this system is really commuter […]
Submitted by beesweet624, who says: I visited Helsinki for a long weekend and it was really enjoyable. The public transportation was very reliable, on time, and went everywhere I needed to go. They have a simple metro system, a well-used tram system in the central part of the city, and numerous buses. However, I had a real problem with its commuter train map. Helsinki’s commuter train map is really confusing. Essentially the stops are arranged […]
Submitted by Miles Taylor, who says: Here’s the system “diagram” of the TST bus system south of Lisbon in Portugal. It’s impossible to tell what any of the routes are since they’re all just blue lines zigzagging across the map. Not to mention the place names are in comic sans. Ugh. Transit Maps says: The only – and I do mean only – saving grace for this map is that it appears on the same web […]
Submitted by Lyle Read-Challen, who says: This is the official rail map of the West Yorkshire area, a conurbation in the north of England. Despite the name “Metro” it is really just a collection of commuter lines centred around Leeds station. It’s not particularly beautiful or interesting to look at, but it does the job. The “lines” system works better here than on many commuter systems, which tend to be all one colour. The station […]
Pursuant to the last post, here’s a little GIF I screen grabbed from the STM video of the old map versus the new one. Farewell, iconic 37-degree tilt! Also of note: the type is much, much smaller and – strangely, given how much they tout the awesomeness of mixed-case type in the wayfinding system – is still set in all-caps. I’ll reserve my judgement until I see the whole map, however.
