Submitted by Mikko. 

This is a really lovely little diagram, which treads the fine line between simplifying the network and depicting Helsinki’s complex geography very deftly. Near-future extensions (up to 2023) are depicted with hollow route lines and estimated opening dates for stations and new track.

One thing it does lack is a legend – while most of the map is pretty self-explanatory, an indication that Line 5 and the short 6T extension only run when cruise ships arrive and depart from the termini would be handy. As it is, they’re shown as thinner lines on the map with no explanation.

One minor technical thing: when route lines pass underneath another set of lines, their colours show through a tiny sliver of a gap between the topmost lines, which looks just a little messy. I’d personally adjust the thickness of the white keylines here to hide those completely.

Typographically, there’s a little bit of a stylistic disconnect between the big, rounded type used for main line stations and tram termini and the smaller condensed face used for the rest of the labels, but it’s not too bad. Generally, the requirement for bilingual labels has been handled quite well.

Overall, a very pleasing map, and certainly a lot better than the slightly stodgy official map. Three-and-a-half stars.

Source: Elmo’s website