The main design directive was to create one graphic system that works for both the subways and buses while remaining true to existing NYCT standards for route bullets, typesetting and language. (Some might take issue with the fact that PATH, LIRR, MNR, Express Buses and EDC Ferries aren’t included.) This includes the subway, all NYC Transit and MTA Bus lines, NICE Bus (Long Island) and Bee-Line Bus (Westchester). Stay in bounds. Include only services that can be paid via unlimited MetroCard or offer a free transfer with a pay-per-ride MetroCard. But not too simple. The focus is on subway lines, streets with buses, arterials and secondary streets, as well as major expressways, rivers and big parks. Make it simple. The riding public needs to know most of the turns and most of the streets as well as relative distance relationships between lines and stations. The resulting maps follow a few simple guidelines. This led to the question of why subway ridership has surged while bus ridership has dropped: Are people so confused by the bus system that they just ignore it? Is it seen as an unreliable option? Are people who live outside of subway territory aware of all the bus options at their disposal? Thus began the long, slow journey to fit the whole system of buses and subways on one map.

Which led, of course, to more questions: “Why aren’t local buses, crosstown buses and the new fancy SBS buses shown? Could the whole bus system fit over a subway map, especially in the areas that aren’t served by the subway?”

Mta buses map