First, transit officers in New York Metropolis mentioned goodbye to the Metrocard.
Now the MTA is waving farewell to a different transit icon: the famed subway map.
“This is a lynchpin moment,” mentioned MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber, who watched the revealing of the system’s first main map overhaul since 1979. Immediately, the transportation authority’s maps and graphics crew was putting in them on the Instances Sq. station. Within the coming weeks, 22,000 paper maps will blanket the system — in each automobile of each practice, and in each station.
“You can talk about the Bronx. Times Square, Statue of Liberty,” mentioned Demetrius Crichlow, the New York Metropolis Transit president, who added the subway map as one other iconic addition to the listing of what’s quintessentially New York.
“Puts together all of the dots of everything you need to see in New York,” he mentioned.
The brand new maps are an homage to Vignelli’s 1972 design. With vivid daring colours for every subway line. And broad strokes to make them simpler to see.
The MTA solicited suggestions from focus teams in latest weeks — and received an earful. The switch hubs weren’t as clear as they may very well be, the suggestions mentioned. So that they added new markings to make it clear. That for instance, at Union Sq., you possibly can swap from the R practice to the 5 practice with out leaving the station.
“There’s a lot on this map that will make it easier for people to see,” mentioned Andrew Albert, an MTA board member who consulted with the artwork crew to verify they have been responding to commuter issues. For instance, he suggested them to verify the L practice shifted south in direction of Canarsie.
Many riders celebrated the revamped look. However Kathleen McCabe, a Manhattan resident who’s used the subway system for many years, wasn’t impressed.
“I hope they didn’t spend a lotta money on this,” she mentioned.
The MTA says it price “next to nothing” and since they used current employees it was a “four-digit expense.”
And different riders appeared happy.
“You could see it much better and more clear,” mentioned Wells Brown, a day by day commuter from Flatbush.
Subway riders can see the brand new subway map right here.