New York City Subway bullets
Timeline of service labels
edit1967
editOn November 26, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) introduced the first set of colored service labels (also known as bullets), to coincide with the opening of the Chrystie Street Connection.
| New set |
|---|
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1968
editAround this year, all SS service labels were colored green.
On April 15, the NX was withdrawn, due to low usage. Three months later, on July 1, Chrystie Street Connection to the Williamsburg Bridge opened, resulting in the reuse of the KK service label, and the absorption of the JJ, RJ, and TT into other services.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
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1969
editOn October 4, the MJ ceased operations with the closure of the western half of the Myrtle Avenue Line. Rollsigns made in April and July for the R16, R32 and R38 subway cars had a provision for an MM service which was to run along Sixth Avenue and Myrtle Avenue, as well as the now-defunct JJ and TT services.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
| No additions |
|
| Bullets reserved on the R16/32/38 | |
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1972
editBy the time the first edition of the Vignelli map was released, the Dyre Avenue SS merged into the 5, and the Lenox Terminal SS into the 3. On September 11, the HH also merged into the E.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
| No additions |
|
| Situation in 1972 | |
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1973
editOn January 2, the J and K replaced the KK and QJ. Three months later, on April 28, the 8 service ended with the closure of the last section of the IRT Third Avenue Line.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
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1975
editOn May 10, the Culver SS was closed.
1976
editOn August 30, the K was withdrawn, and the EE was replaced by the N.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
| No additions |
|
1977
editOn February 12, the Bowling Green/South Ferry SS was closed.
1978
editOn September 23, the MTA launched the JFK Express.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
|
No removals |
1979
editIn June 1979, the MTA introduced a new color scheme, grouping services into the Manhattan trunk lines that they served. The SS shuttles became S.
| New set |
|---|
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May 1985
editOn May 5, 1985, the MTA abolished the seven remaining double-letter services.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
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1986
editMaintenance on the Manhattan Bridge, closing connections to the 6th Avenue Line.
1987
editIn 1987, the MTA rolled out a revised shade of blue, to match the new MTA logo.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
    
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1988
editMaintenance on the Manhattan Bridge that closed connections to the 6th Avenue Line is opened and Broadway side closes, introducing a 6 Avenue Q train. K is discontinued, replaced by Circle C during off-peak daytime hours and Skip-stop service returns to the Nassau Street Line. R30, R32 and R38 subway cars coming out of General Overhaul received provisions for five subway labels in a white disc with black text, with date of production on the signs dating as early as September 1988.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
 
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| Bullets reserved on the R30/32/38 | |
    
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August 1989
editOn August 21, 1989, the MTA introduced an express 9 service for the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line. Around this time (exact year unknown), the R62/A rollsigns have a provision for using double-digit numbers on IRT express services.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
|
No removals |
| Bullets reserved on the R62/A | |
    
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April 1990
editOn April 15, 1990, the JFK Express was discontinued. The color was later reserved for the Second Avenue Subway.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
| No additions |
|
October 1992
editOn October 23, 1992, the MTA rearranged services to and from the Rockaway Peninsula.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
 
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1997
editLate night 63rd Street Shuttle replaces the F on 63rd Street.
1998
editTemporary 63rd Street Shuttle via the Broadway Line replaces Sixth Avenue Line service
2001
editOn July 22, 2001, the start of the final phase of maintenance work on the Manhattan Bridge caused the Q service to run via the BMT Broadway Line, and the creation of the <Q> and W services. On December 17, 2001, the V service began operations via the IND Sixth Avenue Line, to coincide with the opening of the 63rd Street Connector.
The collapse of the World Trade Center resulted in temporary service suspensions and diversions, but no temporary service labels.
| Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|
  
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May 2005
editOn May 27, 2005, the 9 service ceased operations, due to reliability issues.
| Typeface | Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica | No additions |
|
| Standard | No additions | 
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June 2010
editOn June 27, 2010, financial problems in the MTA caused the V and W services to cease operations, while the M service joined the IND Sixth Avenue Line.
| Typeface | Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica | 
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| Standard | 
|
 
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2012
editIn September 2012, the MTA released the first edition of the Late Night Subway Service map, which featured the gray version of the A service, running between Euclid Avenue and Ozone Park–Lefferts Boulevard. From November 20, 2012, to May 30, 2013, the impact of Hurricane Sandy resulted in the creation of the temporary H service.
| Typeface | Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica | 
|
No removals |
| Standard | 
|
No removals |
| Typeface | Temporary services | |
| Helvetica |
| |
| Standard | 
| |
December 2015
editOn December 6, 2015, the new timetable for the A service stopped using <A> to represent the rush hour express service between Manhattan and Rockaway Park. The change left the <6> and <7> as the only remaining diamond services until <F> service started in 2019.
| Typeface | Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica | No additions |
|
| Standard | No additions | 
|
November 2016
editOn 7 November 2016, the W service returned to the BMT Broadway Line.
| Typeface | Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica |
|
No removals |
| Standard | 
|
No removals |
2018
editIn the summer of 2018, the MTA started using SF and SR in service status updates, to distinguish respectively the Franklin Avenue and Rockaway Park Shuttles.
| Typeface | Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica |  
|
No removals |
| Standard |  
|
No removals |
September 2019
editOn September 16 2019, the MTA started using <F> for the new F Express in Brooklyn.
| Typeface | Bullets added | Bullets removed |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica | 
|
No removals |
| Standard | 
|
No removals |
Current status (September 2024)
editThe Helvetica and Standard sets are both in widespread use: the inconsistency is likely due to regulations on the distribution of the NYCTA Bullet font. Neither sets meet the threshold of originality needed for copyright protection, but trademark rights may apply.
| Typeface | Active use | Internal use |
|---|---|---|
| Helvetica | 
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| Standard |                         
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Future
editThe MTA plans to:
- Introduce the T service, when the Second Avenue Subway is extended south of 72nd Street, towards Hanover Square.
| Typeface | Bullets added |
|---|---|
| Helvetica | 
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| Standard | 
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