A lot has changed on the subway in the last 45 years, including stations, train cars, platforms, and even how we pay. But one thing that hadn't changed is the subway map. That is, until now.

The redesigned map includes brighter colors, bold, straight lines, and a white background, all aimed at maximizing contrast and legibility.

When the subway first opened in 1904, maps were simple diagrams that depicted individual subway companies, such as the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT), the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Company (BMT), and the city-owned Independent Subway System (IND).