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
The Tube
What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?
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?
London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail
A strike by London Underground workers will go ahead on Thursday after last-minute talks failed to resolve a dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said Transport for London (TfL) had refused its offer to suspend strike action. The union said it asked TfL to pause job cuts and detrimental pension changes to give both sides the … [Read more...] about London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail
London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin
Sadiq Khan has hailed the “huge success” of the Elizabeth Line as Sunday services and more direct routes were opened. The Mayor of London joined transport leaders to ride the £19 billion railway from Stratford to Paddington on Sunday morning. The trip marked the opening of direct routes across the line as well as a seven-day service for the first time since the line … [Read more...] about London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin
Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys
The £19 billion Elizabeth line railway will open seven days a week and offer more direct journeys from today. Services in the tunnels across London have previously been suspended almost every Sunday since the line opened on May 24 to allow more testing to take place. The line stretches from Reading in Berkshire and Heathrow Airport in west London to Abbey Wood in … [Read more...] about Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys
Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’
A writer who was wowed when he saw his poem featured on London tube carriages has encouraged budding poets to “not try and fit in with everyone else” but to bring “who you are” to the field. For Black History Month, which falls in October in the UK, TfL has teamed up with Arts Council England and The British Council to highlight the work of Black poets through its popular … [Read more...] about Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’
Final preparations underway for opening of Bond Street’s Elizabeth line station
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
Hidden London Tours of Abandoned Tube Stations Return
I've done several of these tours, and I can highly recommend them. Hidden London have announced a new schedule, and you can see all the details below. I would recommend booking as soon as possible as the tours often fill up quickly! London Transport Museum’s new season of award-winning Hidden London tours is now on sale, offering privileged access to parts of the … [Read more...] about Hidden London Tours of Abandoned Tube Stations Return
Elizabeth line’s Bond Street station to finally open October 24th
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
Transport for London boss American Andy Byford quits after funding deal secured
Transport for London (TfL) boss Andy Byford will leave the organization at the end of October. The organization said Mr. Byford – who became transport commissioner in June 2020 – will “resume life in the United States” and is “closing out a 33-year public service career”. TfL’s chief operating officer Andy Lord will take on the role of commissioner on an interim … [Read more...] about Transport for London boss American Andy Byford quits after funding deal secured
Three Tube stations to close before Queen’s funeral to avoid overcrowding
Three central London Tube stations will be closed on the morning of the Queen’s funeral to prevent overcrowding. Transport for London (TfL) announced that passengers will be prevented from starting or ending journeys at Westminster, St James’s Park and Hyde Park Corner stations for “most of the morning” on Monday. The transport body said it “will aim to reopen stations” … [Read more...] about Three Tube stations to close before Queen’s funeral to avoid overcrowding
London Alert: Tube journeys to Heathrow via Zone 1 to be charged at peak rate from Sunday, September 4th
Tube passengers traveling to Heathrow via Zone 1 will be charged at peak rate from Sunday to help Transport for London (TfL) recover from the pandemic. Commuters taking the new Elizabeth line through the central zone to London’s busiest airport will be charged £12.80, up from £10.80, while those on the Piccadilly line will pay £5.50, up from £3.50. From Sunday, September … [Read more...] about London Alert: Tube journeys to Heathrow via Zone 1 to be charged at peak rate from Sunday, September 4th
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Piccadilly Line
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
A Brief History of the Northern 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
What Makes the Elizabeth Line Different from Other Underground Lines?
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?
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Jubilee Line
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
London Alert: Announcing Our latest book – London Tube 101 – History, Culture, and Travel on London’s Transport Network
We are thrilled to announce Anglotopia's newest book: London Tube 101- History, Culture, and Travel on London’s Transport Network. This new publication is your complete guidebook to London's iconic transport network; its history, culture, and a guide to using the famous London Tube network. The book will be released in September and we need to start pre-orders now. We … [Read more...] about London Alert: Announcing Our latest book – London Tube 101 – History, Culture, and Travel on London’s Transport Network
Tube Histories: A Brief History of Docklands Light Railway
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
London Alert: Passengers told to avoid Tube on Monday during 24-hour RMT strike
London Underground is advising people not to travel on Monday because of a strike by thousands of workers in a dispute over jobs and pensions. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out for 24 hours, crippling Tube services across the capital. Transport for London (TfL) said some train services will run but it expects severe disruption across the … [Read more...] about London Alert: Passengers told to avoid Tube on Monday during 24-hour RMT strike
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the District Line
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
It’s a hit! More than one million journeys were made on new central section of the Elizabeth line
More than a million journeys have been made on the central section of London’s new Elizabeth line railway in the first five days since it opened. London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “proud to see the roaring success” of the stretch of the line which began operating between stations in Paddington, west London and Abbey Wood, south-east London on Tuesday morning. Transport for … [Read more...] about It’s a hit! More than one million journeys were made on new central section of the Elizabeth line
Laura’s London: Elizabeth Line Opening Day First Person Report
Editor's Note: Unfortunately, I couldn't be there today for this special day, but thankfully Laura Porter was able to get out there and check out London's new railway today and write up this report for everyone. Thank you, Laura! We'll soon forget the long delay and the enormous cost as the Elizabeth Line opens today (24 May 2022). This is the most significant addition to … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Elizabeth Line Opening Day First Person Report
In Pictures: Thousands travel on Elizabeth line on first morning of passenger service
Thousands of people traveled on London’s £18.9 billion Elizabeth line railway in the first few hours of operation on Tuesday morning. Hundreds of transport enthusiasts gathered at stations in Paddington, west London, and Abbey Wood, south-east London, to be on the first trains, which departed shortly after 6.30 am. Transport for London (TfL) commissioner Andy Byford said the … [Read more...] about In Pictures: Thousands travel on Elizabeth line on first morning of passenger service
Countdown to Elizabeth Line opening tomorrow!
London’s new £18.9 billion Elizabeth line railway opens on Tuesday. The delayed and overbudget line will boost capacity and cut journey times for east-west travel across the capital. Services will begin in new tunnels under the center of the city at 6.30 am. Large numbers of transport enthusiasts are expected to be on the first departures. The Elizabeth line … [Read more...] about Countdown to Elizabeth Line opening tomorrow!
New Tube map with Elizabeth Line published by Transport for London
Transport for London (TfL) has released a new Tube map with the Elizabeth line included for the first time. The new east-west railway has been added to the map ahead of its opening on May 24. It is displayed as a double purple line rather than a solid line to “differentiate the Elizabeth line as a new railway as opposed to a London Underground line”, TfL said. The Queen … [Read more...] about New Tube map with Elizabeth Line published by Transport for London