London’s famous Tube Map, well known to passengers and tourists, is to show an additional line over the coming weeks.
The map already shows lines that aren’t the “Tube”. The driverless Docklands Light Railway, Emirates Airline and London Overground all appear on the current map.
But now, Transport for London (TfL) will be temporarily adding Thameslink services from next month to help customers move around the city during the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
The temporary addition to the map, which will appear in stations in the coming weeks, will see Thameslink services within Zones 1 to 6 (as well as Dartford and Swanley), shown on maps displayed in stations, as well as the pocket Tube map, online at tfl.gov.uk and on the TfL Go app.
Thameslink has been added as it operates a through- London service and highlighting this will show Londoners more options during the pandemic. This will help further encourage use of public transport to safely travel across the city, aiding social distancing and reducing the risk of a car-led recovery. Step-free information for all Thameslink stations shown will also be added, further aiding those with accessibility needs who need to travel around London.
Forthcoming closures to the Bank branch of the Northern line later in 2021, to allow for the completion of the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade work, also mean that customers will benefit from using Thameslink services as an alternative route option.
Julie Dixon, head of customer information and partnerships at TfL said: “In light of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, and next year’s Northern line closures required to complete the Bank Upgrade works, Thameslink services have been temporarily included on the Tube map to help customers move around the city. This has been a complicated addition to make to the map, but one that we feel will benefit Londoners as part of our work to promote safe, clean and reliable public transport use across the city.”
Tom Moran, managing director, Thameslink said: “We’re delighted that Thameslink stations across London have been temporarily added to the iconic tube map, particularly those in areas of south east and north London that are now appearing for the first time. Adding Thameslink services will be especially helpful now, as we know people want to plan their journeys carefully and ensure they can socially distance. This will mean every passenger can see all the connections available to them in one place.
“Thameslink is a great option for passengers in London, with trains every few minutes, a journey time from St Pancras to London Bridge of under 15 minutes and accessible stations.”
