Metro Down to Final Two Drafts of New Rail Map

Metro is approaching the end of a months-long process to update its rail map and is seeking comments on the final two versions of the map on its website.

The update will include the Silver Line—which will run parallel to most of the existing Orange Line, extending from Wiehle-Reston in the west and Largo Town Center to the east. 

The latest versions of the map show thinner rail line depictions, include the Metro Transit Police phone number, feature the Anacostia National Park and better define the Beltway and jurisdiction borders with lightened lines and a darkened Silver Line color.

The main issue still up for debate is how to best identify stations that have three lines, and are represented in the most current two drafts:

The first version shows the current station icon—a white dot with a black border—and adds two white extenders, making it look like a small white line is bisecting the traditional icon.

The second version completely changes the icon, transforming it into an oval, or “pill” shape that bridges the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.

You can share your preference with Metro and offer additional comments on its website.

Some site visitors praised the changes:

"Wow, MUCH better than the old versions. Thanks for taking our input so seriously!" Andrew M23 commented on Metro's website.

"Placing the Silver line between the Blue/Orange lines & darkening the color is a big improvement over the previous versions!" wrote John C78.

Others said the design still needs work:

"I don't like the dot-with-extenders at all. It's still a jarring, unfamiliar shape, and the white extenders are practically invisible (and will be more so in dark stations or on small maps, especially for people with poor eyesight)," wrote James D27.

"Strive for more consistency. It doesn't make sense to have a special icon for 3 line stations but not follow the same convention for stations with 2 lines. So either use the oval (or other special icon) for any transfer station or don't use it at all," wrote Kevin K25.

The maps show the Orange and Sliver lines crossing at the East Falls Church station rather than near the Stadium-Armory station—a change from earlier versions, noted Greater Greater Washington blogger David Alpert. Several GGW readers suggested the change, Alpert wrote.

Which version of the Metrorail map do you prefer?