LA Metro opened the first operating segment of the K Line today, and there’s a new map to go along with it! As we haven’t reviewed this map since 2016 (when the Expo Line extension to Santa Monica opened!), it’s high time for a new look.
The first thing I noticed is how this version of the map seems to be a point-by-point correction of the perceived flaws that I noted in that 2016: the Los Angeles River has been removed from the map, the loop of the A/Blue Line in Long Beach has been restored to a more accurate orientation, and the labels along the B/Red Line are spaced out a bit more evenly, though I think this can still be better – I feel that it can sometimes be better to space labels evenly along a line instead of the station dots. All of these changes are definite improvements, so I’m happy to see them made.
The gradual transition from named lines (Blue/Red/Expo, etc.) to lettered lines – A Line, B Line, E Line, etc.) continues with bullets now at the ends of route lines on the map, but with both names still noted in the legend. By the time the Regional Connector comes on line, I would expect that lettered line names will stand on their own.
The new K Line (note that there’s no secondary name – e.g., the “Pink Line” – for it) slots into the map nicely, with plenty of room for the future stations to be added between Westchester/Veterans and Aviation/LAX stations. I’d personally like to see a thin “bus” line drawn from Aviation/LAX station to the airport to give a better indication of the LAX Shuttle service instead of the fairly indistinct icon that’s currently used.
There are a couple of minor technical errors and inconsistencies: all the labels on the western end of the C Line from Mariposa to Redondo Beach have been pushed downwards slightly so that they no longer align to the same grid as the A and J lines. This is probably intentional to give a bit more room around LAX, but I do like it when elements intentionally line up across a map like this. The label for Crenshaw station sits considerably higher above the C Line than all the other labels.
Very minor pet peeves: Why is 7th St/Metro Center abbreviated to “Metro Ctr” when there’s plenty of room to spell out the name in full? Similarly, the abbreviation of “Arts District” to “Arts Dist”. For me, abbreviations like this on a transit map should be kept to an absolute minimum and used only if there is no other option.
Our final word: A sleek upgrade to what was already one of the better US transit maps. Looking good, LA Metro!
Source: LA Metro website
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always found the LA Metro lines drawn way too thin. (Compared to WMATA DC Metro, which might be a bit too thick.)
The map looks great! At the heading, under Transit Maps, I’m confused by the spelling of “Policeman” in the titlle.
It reads, “No Need to Ask a P’liceman”. Why is the apostrophe there? The letter “o” could have fit so it doesn’t make sense.
It’s a reference to an old poster advertising the London Underground which shows two travelers asking a policeman for directions. He just thumbs over his shoulder at the (pre-Beck) Tube Map on the wall of the station behind him, with the caption beneath the picture spelled as I have it, probably reflecting a London accent of the day.
This bears a striking resemblance to the Sydney Trains network map in my opinion. Very similar “washed out” colours, and station dots with a white stroke around them. The line thickness is a bit smaller, though.
This map needs to be updated. They just expanded and changed the lines around.
Yes, my review of the new June 2023 map with the Regional Connector can be read here.