Is the "tube map" even an iconic thing any more, your average Londoner just jams their destination into Google Maps/CityMapper/etc and sees the public transport journey on a 'real world' map, discuss.
Replies
as a symbol of London it works, and there was a music map done around 2008/9 that was really good (got it as a leaving present from an old job). But as a method of actually representing London, especially when adding venues on it, it’s useless, especially when great chunks of Ldn aren’t featured.
may 13, 2025, 10:37 am • 1 0 • view
Do they? Is that instinct or research? Are "average Londoners" the audience for the tube map, or are visitors? Can't a thing be an icon even if you don't use it (red phone boxes??) So many questions!
may 13, 2025, 11:14 am • 1 0 • view
The Mini is quite iconically British despite not being a Japanese small-medium SUV, which is what we seem to actually use.
may 13, 2025, 11:21 am • 0 0 • view
Speak for yourself. I use the old map all the time (esp when on Tube).
may 13, 2025, 1:25 pm • 1 0 • view
I am steadfastly analogue in my public transport navigation (possibly a symptom of my having a geriatric mobile phone that won't let me update or install any more apps) but I accept that I am a luddite outlier
may 13, 2025, 10:57 am • 0 0 • view
The tube map is more important than the roads!
may 13, 2025, 1:33 pm • 0 0 • view
As a piece of artwork, it's still iconic and it represents London pretty well.
may 13, 2025, 10:32 am • 3 0 • view
*growls in south of river*
may 13, 2025, 10:35 am • 5 0 • view
You still see people looking at it in stations?
may 13, 2025, 10:44 am • 0 0 • view
Oh yes I'm the weirdo who often goes up to tourists and go "do you need any help" and stops them going from Kings Cross to Oxford Circus via Canary Wharf or whatever.
may 13, 2025, 10:55 am • 3 0 • view
Is there a smartphone friendly version of it? Google Maps just v easy to use.
may 13, 2025, 10:49 am • 0 0 • view
This is slightly bewildering. Some quite random names attached to places. E.g. in my patch: Dua Lipa and Cally Rd? She grew up in West Hampstead. Kae Tempest and Holloway Rd? From Brockley. Nadia Rose and Arsenal? She's from Lambeth. The Jago is in Dalston not H&I. No mention of Hope and Anchor.
may 13, 2025, 11:13 am • 0 0 • view
You’ll take my tube map bedsheets away over my dead body, Jim
may 13, 2025, 11:02 am • 1 0 • view
It is if you're a wheelchair user, and that's a fact. Figuring out which stations are going to be accessible is a nightmare
may 13, 2025, 10:50 am • 0 0 • view
Yes it is. Every conversation when meeting people in London starts with how everyone got to the meeting place. The explanations only make sense if everyone knows the tube map and can visualize your journey.
may 13, 2025, 10:34 am • 1 0 • view
may 13, 2025, 10:51 am • 8 0 • view
At the heart of it remains the moral dilemma that Harry Beck was never paid.
may 13, 2025, 10:47 am • 0 0 • view
Even moreso an "icon" more than a map with increased use on branding merch etc etc
may 13, 2025, 10:35 am • 0 0 • view
Surely it is? I have a mental image of bits of it, and pride myself on using that to get around without checking routes, but I am of a certain age (and a taxi driver's daughter).
may 13, 2025, 1:11 pm • 0 0 • view
it's iconic separate and apart from its utility
may 13, 2025, 10:30 am • 1 0 • view
Have you never played Metrodle??
may 13, 2025, 10:57 am • 0 0 • view
Yes, because the map is still seen everywhere on platforms and carriages on that journey.
may 13, 2025, 10:31 am • 1 0 • view