The background of the new map is white, which is another way to create more contrast. The previous version has a beige background. Flamm’s map also strips a majority of the details displayed in the background of the MTA’s old map, including the locations of major streets and landmarks. He said they would make the design too cluttered.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority has unveiled the first major change to the famed New York City subway map since 1979. The historic map commuters are used to seeing on subway cars and in stations across the five boroughs will be phased out in the coming weeks and replaced with the new version.

The Metropolitan Transportation Agency has unveiled the first new map for the New York City subway system in almost half a century. On Wednesday, the transportation agency announced the roll out of the new map — a more stylized presentation for the city’s 120-year-old train system.