New York City Subway bullets

Timeline of service labels

1967

On 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

1968

Around 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On April 15, the NX was withdrawn, due to low usage.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

1969

On 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

1972

By 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

1973

On 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

1975

On May 10, the Culver SS was closed.

1976

On August 30, the K was withdrawn, and the EE was replaced by the N.

Bullets added	Bullets removed
No additions

1977

On February 12, the Bowling Green/South Ferry SS was closed.

1978

On September 23, the MTA launched the JFK Express.

Bullets added	Bullets removed
	No removals

1979

In 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

May 1985

On May 5, 1985, the MTA abolished the seven remaining double-letter services.

Bullets added	Bullets removed

1986

Maintenance on the Manhattan Bridge, closing connections to the 6th Avenue Line.

1987

In 1987, the MTA rolled out a revised shade of blue, to match the new MTA logo.

Bullets added	Bullets removed

1988

Maintenance 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

Bullets reserved on the R30/32/38

August 1989

On 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

April 1990

On 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

On October 23, 1992, the MTA rearranged services to and from the Rockaway Peninsula.

Bullets added	Bullets removed

1997

Late night 63rd Street Shuttle replaces the F on 63rd Street.

1998

Temporary 63rd Street Shuttle via the Broadway Line replaces Sixth Avenue Line service

2001

On 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

May 2005

On May 27, 2005, the 9 service ceased operations, due to reliability issues.

Typeface	Bullets added	Bullets removed
Helvetica	No additions
Standard	No additions

June 2010

On 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
Standard

2012

In 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

On 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

On 7 November 2016, the W service returned to the BMT Broadway Line.

Typeface	Bullets added	Bullets removed
Helvetica		No removals
Standard		No removals

2018

In 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

On 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 (December 2024)

The 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.