Signal failures. Weekend closures. Record-breaking passenger numbers. Transport for London (TfL) is investing billions of pounds to improve the network – but what’s really going on down there?
The London Assembly Transport Committee has launched an investigation into how the Tube is performing, with a line-by-line look at the extent to which the promises made when the upgrade programme began eight years ago have been realised.
Since TfL took over responsibility for maintaining and upgrading the entire network the Tube has faced unprecedented passenger demand: 2010/11 was the busiest year in the Tube’s 148 year history, hitting a record-breaking 1.1 billion journeys.
At the same time, some indicators suggest the recent performance of the Tube has declined, and the timetable for the upgrade programme – which is due to deliver a 30% increase in overall capacity by 2020 – has slipped, particularly on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.
This slippage has adversely affected passengers who have endured months – or in some cases years – of planned closures.
Jubilee line passengers have borne the brunt of the disruption, with stations on the line shut on more than 100 weekends in the last four years for the upgrades to signalling.
Chair of the Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon AM, said:
“Londoners have been told for years that all the closures, disruption and billions of pounds spent will be worth it in the end. The question is, when will passengers start to see noticeable improvements to their journeys?
“With passenger numbers at record levels and several line upgrades behind schedule it’s time for an in-depth look at the service Londoners get, the improvements we’ve seen so far, and ways to get the upgrades back on track.”
As part of its investigation the Committee will consider if there are lessons to be learned from upgrade programmes on underground systems in other cities around the world. Two public hearings will be held on 17 May and 14 June 2011 to gather views and information.
The Committee will then publish a report setting out findings and any actions the Mayor and TfL should take to improve the performance of the Tube and the delivery of the upgrade programme in the short and longer term.
The terms of reference for the investigation are:
- To explore the recent performance of the Tube and TfL’s progress with the upgrade programme including for each London Underground line; and, in light of the findings
- To identify any actions that the Mayor and TfL should take to improve the performance of the Tube and the delivery of the upgrade programme.
