What's My Line?
Did you ever wonder why NJ TRANSIT rail lines are represented with colors and symbols on our maps and timetables? They're designed to help you easily identify your line.
In 2003, NJ TRANSIT introduced symbols to identify our train lines. Each one tells a story about the line's connection to its location, using recognizable icons (see line-by-line description below). These images build on a set of identifying colors for each rail line introduced in 1999.
The use of visual elements helps customers who have limited English proficiency, or who have difficulty distinguishing between certain colors. These brands form the basis for a design system used on schedules, system maps, and signage to strengthen recognition of the lines.
NJ TRANSIT recently refreshed its design system for visual consistency, especially in digital applications. We also introduced new icons for bus service, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail and River Line. All of the updated designs and icons are being introduced elsewhere, including in our service advisory posters, on the new www.njtransit.com homepage for system status, on our Twitter accounts for bus, light rail and train services, feature the new line brands, new cover images that illustrate each service, and updated descriptions to let customers know each account is the place for real-time information, updates and alerts.
NJ TRANSIT Design System
Atlantic City Line - Absecon Lighthouse, New Jersey's tallest lighthouse, and the third-tallest masonry lighthouse in the United States.
Bus - Bus approaching a stop to pick up passengers (Orange - South Jersey, Blue - North Jersey).
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail - The clock tower above Hoboken Terminal, where connections can be made to buses, trains and ferry service.
Main/Bergen County Line - Meadowlands cattail and Passaic River watermill, two symbols of nature and industry in the region served by the Main/Bergen County Line.
Montclair-Boonton Line - Eastern Goldfinch, the state bird of New Jersey, which nests in meadows much like those along the Montclair-Boonton Line.
Morris & Essex Line - Colonial drum and galloping horse, highlighting the Revolutionary War history along the Morris & Essex Line, and the state animal of New Jersey.
Newark Light Rail - Pink cherry blossom from Newark's Branch Brook Park, which contains the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States.
Northeast Corridor - New Jersey State House in Trenton, New Jersey's state capital and southern terminus of our Northeast Corridor rail service.
North Jersey Coast Line - Sailboat highlighting the coastal heritage of the Jersey Shore communities served by the North Jersey Coast Line.
Pascack Valley Line - Pine tree from the northern coastal forest that dominates the landscape of the region served by the Pascack Valley Line.
Raritan Valley Line - Statue of Liberty from the logo of the Raritan Valley Line's predecessor, Central Railroad of New Jersey.
River Line - River Line train in deep green, the color of the Camden & Amboy Railroad, New Jersey's first railroad, and builder of the right-of-way now used by