Submitted by Bernie, whose Melbourne and Singapore maps have been featured previously on Transit Maps. Of this map, Bernie says:

Attached is a map of the Stockholm railway network (including the metro system, trams, local railways and commuter railways operated by SL, and Arlanda Express). I got a bit of inspiration after a recent visit. I loved the original Stockholm subway map – it is an exercise of minimalist beauty. Just three colours, and dashed lines for stops. All the terminii are lined up together. Loved it!  

However, they have since tried to add other railways to the map, and to be honest, I think it messes up that simplicity. If the future extensions are thrown in, they are going to have to redraw the whole thing as it is getting horribly cramped!  (e.g. how will they account for L22 being extended from Sickla udde to meet L25 at Sickla?) 

So as I was on holidays, I thought about a reimagined version of the map.  I started with a focal point. I thought the ring tram line (Tvarbanan – L22) would be a nice visual hook if I can put the downtown in the exact centre of the circle (that would be where Stockholm C/T-Centralen) is. I gave colours to more of the lines to make the map less dour in character, and to give more equal footing to the other forms of railways. Stockholm is a city surrounded by water and islands, so I thought that rather with dispensing geography altogether, putting some of it gives the map more character, and map help with navigation as well.  This map includes future extensions under consideration by SL, up to 2025.

Transit Maps says:

I’ve had this map from Bernie hanging around in my inbox for a while now (sorry, Bernie!), but having just featured the mixed bag of Stockholm’s new official map, this seems the perfect time to show it off.

First off, I love a map with a good visual hook, and Bernie’s interpretation of the L22 as a ring line (which it kind of is) works perfectly in that regard. I also think his inclusion of geography is intelligent, acting as another aid to orientation.

Showing all the extensions up to 2025 means that the map is fully future-proofed already, and it seems that Bernie’s incorporated all the major ones that I know about pretty skilfully, including that commuter rail tunnel under the city and the new Metro line extension to Arenastaden. He’s also integrated the privately-run Arlanda Express line to the airport, which is great to see from an end-user’s point of view. 

Bernie’s added more colour to his version as well, but I feel that it’s used a little more intelligently than the official map: all the commuter rail lines are shades of a slightly recessive purple, for example, which visually drops them just a little lower in the information hierarchy. His mode differentiation is a little better executed – even in the small image size allowed by Tumblr, the light rail and commuter rail lines feel visually “lighter” than those of the Metro – but the difference between all the modes could be emphasised even a little more, I feel.

Our rating: A decidedly different approach to the new official map, and arguably more successful. Three-and-a-half stars.