Historical Map: Green Line Coach Routes, London, 1949

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Historical Maps

Perhaps because of post-war austerity measures, this map was printed with just two inks – green and black – but still manages to do a lot of really good work.

The radial nature of the Green Line network definitely makes things easier for the designer, as only a few of the routes really interact with others as they spread inexorably outwards from the map’s centre. The large route numbers at each terminus are great, as is the eye-catching reversed white rectangle indicating central London which also refers readers to a more detailed map on the other side of the sheet. Labelling is in the almost-ubiquitous Gill Sans, which for me always seems to work a bit better as all-caps, such as at the terminus stations.

Our final word: The limited colour palette might have been imposed on the designer, but they’ve turned it into a positive – creating a distinctive and stylish piece.

Source: David Rumsey Map Collection

2 Comments

  1. Green Line became the National Bus Company London Country division in 1970 and had introduced orbital services in the late 60s, but cross-London services had all gone by 1979, and London Country became a service provider around the edge of London. London Country slowly died out following privatisation in 1986, being taken over by assorted franchisees, who gradually got bought up by Arriva. However Green Line services still exist on a number of routes into London which terminate at their own bus station near Victoria Rail and Coach stations.

  2. Nick Heath says

    This is fascinating. I would have used the 714 a lot in the 70s and 80s travelling from Dorking to Surbiton. I had no idea there was a 712 Dorking to Luton!!!

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