The Tube

Passengers using public transport in London face an average hike in fares of 5.9% from March 5 under proposals announced by mayor Sadiq Khan. The plan means the weekly cap for using buses and trams in the capital is set to increase by £1.40 to £24.70. London Underground passengers will see the weekly cap for travel in zones one and three rise by £3 to £48. The average … [Read more...] about Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

With the launching of Crossrail, aka the Elizabeth Line this past summer, the discussion in London mass transit now turns to Crossrail 2.  You might be wondering what exactly this means and how is this any different from the new Elizabeth Line?  Well, the first Crossrail line was only one solution to London’s congested roads and Underground lines and Crossrail 2 is the next … [Read more...] about What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

Final preparations are underway for the delayed opening of the Elizabeth line station in Bond Street, central London. Trial evacuations, testing of fire control systems, and extensive security checks are taking place ahead of the station opening next Monday. Under initial plans for the east-west railway, Bond Street was due to open with all the other stations in December … [Read more...] about Final preparations underway for opening of Bond Street’s Elizabeth line station

Bond Street station on London’s Elizabeth line will open on Monday, October 24, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. The new railway began running in May, but trains have not called at Bond Street due to delays completing the station. The opening of Bond Street – which is subject to “final approvals” – is expected to ease congestion at nearby Oxford Circus Tube … [Read more...] about Elizabeth line’s Bond Street station to finally open October 24th

In our next entry on the history of the various Tube lines, we explore the history of the Piccadilly Line, which hits some important spots in London from Heathrow Airport to Buckingham Palace.  As with many of the Underground’s lines, the Piccadilly Line has its start in the old underground railways that preceded the creation of the London Passenger Transport Board and the … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Piccadilly Line

Looking at the London Underground map, you might be forgiven for thinking there’s been a mistake and that you’re looking at two separate lines instead of one.  This is because the Northern Line has its origins in two separate railways that eventually merged into one even though they run on two parallel routes.  However, it might be a good thing that the Northern Line is two … [Read more...] about A Brief History of the Northern Line

If you’ve looked at the London Underground map lately, you may have noticed a sharp purple line cutting from east to west.  This is the new Elizabeth Line, formerly known as Crossrail, a hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit service.  It has been in development since 2005 and finally opened this year after financial and construction setbacks caused in part by the COVID19 … [Read more...] about What Makes the Elizabeth Line Different from Other Underground Lines?

Growing out of the London Underground’s first line, the Metropolitan Railway, the Jubilee Line is named after Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee.  Of course, this route for the Tube is much older than that with origins that date back to the 1930s.  Today it is one of the leading Tube lines when it comes to technology and it has a fascinating history both before and after it … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Jubilee Line

Moving onto an oft-forgot member of the London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway is a unique entity of all the lines.  The DLR is also one of the youngest parts of the Underground as it’s only been around since 1987.  As it celebrates its 35th year of ferrying Londoners around the Docklands, we’re going to explore its history from its origins through multiple extensions … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of Docklands Light Railway

One of the oldest lines in the history of the London Underground, the District Line has a rich history that has been simultaneously full of competition and cooperation.  From its earliest days as the District Railway to the formation of the Circle Line as well as electrification, municipalization, and branching out over greater London, the District Line has a fascinating … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the District Line