New NYC subway map is easier to read and use, MTA says
A major redesign to the New York City subway map was unveiled at Times Square-42 Street in Manhattan on Wednesday. Credit: Metropolitan Transportation Auth/Marc A. Hermann/MTA
There’s a new reason to lean awkwardly over a seated passenger during your next train ride: New York City has a new subway map.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Wednesday unveiled its first fully redesigned subway map in nearly 50 years. Designed in-house by the MTA’s Creative Department, with input from rider focus groups, the new map features several upgrades meant to make it easier to use, whether riders are looking at the map at a station, inside a train or on their phones.
"Our approach was to make this map inclusive for all," said Shanifah Rieara, the MTA senior adviser for communications and policy who oversaw the map redesign, at a news conference at the Times Square-42nd Street subway station Wednesday. "Looking at it, it’s so much simpler to orient yourself. The colors are bold. And it’s just reader-friendly."
In contrast to the previous version, which was introduced in 1979 and often required commuters to press their nose against the map and squint to make sense of the jumbled spaghetti before them, the redesigned map includes brighter colors, bold, straight lines and a white background, all aimed at maximizing contrast and legibility.
The map also features other transit systems in New York City, including the Long Island Rail Road.
An earlier version of the new map was first introduced in the fall on digital screens in the subway system. Gathering feedback from riders, designers made some final tweaks before printed maps began being installed on trains and stations on Wednesday. The late design changes include different treatments for major transfer hubs in the transit system and also make it more clear how to access are airports by train.
It also includes one important correction, according to New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. "Central Park is not as big as our map used to convey it to be." Crichlow added the new map captures "the real, right" size of the park.
There’s a new reason to lean awkwardly over a seated passenger during your next train ride: New York City has a new subway map.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Wednesday unveiled its first fully redesigned subway map in nearly 50 years. Designed in-house by the MTA’s Creative Department, with input from rider focus groups, the new map features several upgrades meant to make it easier to use, whether riders are looking at the map at a station, inside a train or on their phones.
"Our approach was to make this map inclusive for all," said Shanifah Rieara, the MTA senior adviser for communications and policy who oversaw the map redesign, at a news conference at the Times Square-42nd Street subway station Wednesday. "Looking at it, it’s so much simpler to orient yourself. The colors are bold. And it’s just reader-friendly."
In contrast to the previous version, which was introduced in 1979 and often required commuters to press their nose against the map and squint to make sense of the jumbled spaghetti before them, the redesigned map includes brighter colors, bold, straight lines and a white background, all aimed at maximizing contrast and legibility.
The map also features other transit systems in New York City, including the Long Island Rail Road.
An earlier version of the new map was first introduced in the fall on digital screens in the subway system. Gathering feedback from riders, designers made some final tweaks before printed maps began being installed on trains and stations on Wednesday. The late design changes include different treatments for major transfer hubs in the transit system and also make it more clear how to access are airports by train.
It also includes one important correction, according to New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. "Central Park is not as big as our map used to convey it to be." Crichlow added the new map captures "the real, right" size of the park.
Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.
NewsdayTV's Spring Break special From the Long Island Aquarium and beyond, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano has your look at Spring Break activities.
NewsdayTV's Spring Break special From the Long Island Aquarium and beyond, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano has your look at Spring Break activities.
