Booth – TRANSIT MAPS 2025-26 2026

Description

Transit Maps 2025/26 reviews recent and historical transit-map submissions, praising disciplined, user-centered designs and critiquing common failings. Standouts include Madrid Cercanías (elegant concentric fare zones and smoother geometry), a revealing 1954 Bordeaux suburban tramway map, and Madison’s clear Metro Rapid BRT diagram. Denpasar’s 2025 map intentionally fades suspended routes to protest cuts while keeping polished design. Chicago Metra’s rebranding proposals sparked debate over naming, colors, and numbering. Queensland Rail’s official map is criticized as a confusing map/diagram hybrid; a cleaner alternative was produced with simplified trunks, consistent labels, improved colors, and a full legend. Praise also goes to Phoenix, Northern Railway, Brittany, Klang Valley, The Hague, and a Honolulu fantasy for clarity, insets, bespoke typography, restrained schematics, and future-proofing. Recurring criticisms emphasize poor contrast and accessibility, missing or confusing legends, inconsistent line geometry, and awkward depiction of small services. Some maps are competent but uninspired; several unofficial redesigns outperform official versions. Overall, reviewers favor consistent angles, clear labeling, accessible colors, and useful legends.