Submitted by Chris, who says:

This is my version of the tramway and metro network of Marseille, France. It is one of my recent maps and I have tried to give it a 80s look but I am not sure I got it right. Overall, it’s not necessarily a map for daily use but more an interpretation of the system.

Transit Maps says:

For a relatively simple network like Marseille’s (with just two Metro lines and three tram lines), a diagram like this is perfectly workable for daily use, Chris. It’s simple, clear and still retains a good sense of how the lines fit together spatially… perhaps with the exception of the way that the M1 Metro dips inside the T2 tram line between Réformés/Canebière and Cinq Avenues. In the end, the way you’ve shown it allows your labelling to remain consistent and all the stations are still in the right place, so it’s really not that big an issue.

I really like the distinctive “X” interchange symbols on the map, though they’re deployed a bit inconsistently. Joliette and Belsunce Alcazar get one for each line, but nowhere else does. I’m not entirely convinced by the way that the tram lines are overlaid on top of the Metro lines at Noailles and Castellane, especially at the former where there’s little contrast between the red and orange colours. Personally, I’d prefer an “X-marker for each line” approach at all the interchange stations.

I’d also like the labels for all the intermediate stations to be a bit larger, and I’m not sure about the coloured text for terminus stops… the red on blue is pretty hard to read, and I’m not sure the combined yellow/green type at Arenc Le Silo really works. I’d also be interested in seeing what a darker blue background would look like… I think it could help the other colours pop out of the page a bit more and help you achieve that 80s look that you’re after. The typography is also something you could look at there… it’s executed quite nicely, but there’s nothing notably “80s” about it for me.

Overall, I really like this map. It’s visually striking and different, while still being very usable as a navigational tool. It’s certainly miles better than the stodgy official map (PDF link), that’s for sure!