Madam, — While welcoming the Dublin Bus first phase of Network Direct, I am puzzled as to why the excellent and clear schematic diagram (transit map) is printed in a south-north format, ie the reverse of accepted mapping practice around the world (Advertisement, September 14th). Since time immemorial, cartographers have drawn or printed maps with north indicated at the top of the map and south at the bottom.
If one superimposes the Dublin Bus schematic diagram onto an Ordnance Survey map, Harristown appears to be somewhere near Johnny Fox’s in Glencullen, Ongar Green is around Greystones, Kilcoole is around Dublin airport, Rialto is in Dalkey, Ticknock may be around Howth, while Merrion Gates appear to be located in Tallaght.
The well-known London Underground schematic map is printed in the north-south layout, as are any other similar maps that one finds in travel books, etc.
With a view to making life easier for visitors and the travelling public generally, perhaps Dublin Bus would consider reissuing the schematic map in the layout with which we are comfortable. As the 17th-century map-maker John Speed might have said: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” – Yours, etc,