Night Tube Launches With Promise To Boost Nighttime Economy
Night Tube service launched in the London Underground over the weekend after an 11-month delay when workers went on strike over pay. Victoria and Central line trains now run on Fridays and Saturdays between 12:30 and 05:30am, supporting the Capital’s 24-hour economy.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan kicked off the new service in the early hours of the morning when he travelled from Brixton on the first Victoria Line Night Tube.
Transport for London said 50,000 journeys were completed on the Night Tube on Friday. Though some pretty crazy things happened, the service was overall a success.
Once all five lines are open, 200,000 passengers are expected to use the Night Tube. Oxford Circus was the busiest station, with 6,500 people tapping in, and Stratford station saw 4,250 customers.
Tube demand has soared over recent years, with passenger numbers on Friday and Saturday nights up by around 70% since 2000, while demand for travel on night buses has risen by over 170% in the same period. Passenger data shows that more than 50% of people using night buses are going to or returning from work—many of whom will benefit directly from the Night Tube.
To help Londoners feel safe while riding the Night Tube, the mayor is investing £3.4M for policing, which equates to about 100 officers out on the network when full services are underway.
