Return of the Night Tube – but just two lines
AFTER a successful petition regarding women’s safety, which garnered almost 150,000 signatures, and successful negotiation between Transport for London (TfL) and transport unions, Mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed the return of Night Tube services on two London Underground lines.
From November 27, the Central and Victoria lines will run continuously throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays again.
TfL insists that the decision is to ‘support economic recovery’ and ‘provide even more travel options and improved safety for Londoners travelling at night’, describing the Night Tube as ‘a safe, low crime environment’.
On the Central line, services will run between Loughton or Hainault and Ealing Broadway via Central London. The Victoria line will run the whole line throughout both nights. The remaining Night Tube lines (Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly) and the Night Overground are not set to return until next year.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “The reason why I was so keen to be the first Mayor in London’s history to start the Night Tube in 2016 and to restart it now, after the Covid pause, is because I know how important this is to London’s thriving night-time economy, to London’s recovery and to the confidence and safety of everyone travelling home at night, particularly women and girls. I am determined to make our city as safe as possible for all Londoners.
“That’s why I’m delighted to see the return of the Victoria and Central Night Tube lines next month, which will make a huge difference to people travelling
around our city at night and making their way home, offering them an additional safe, reliable transport option.”
It comes after this morning the Mayor received 100 tweets per hour regarding the petition alone.
In order to get the two lines open, he instructed TfL to negotiate hard with transport unions.
Drivers will be paid an extra £113 per night shift to drive the trains, new Night Tube customer service staff are being hired and security patrols are being reinforced.
Night Czar for London Amy Lamé said: “I’ve been working closely with TfL and the industry to bring the Night Tube back as soon as possible, and its return will be hugely welcome news to the capital’s night-time businesses which have been hit so hard by the pandemic.
“It’s fantastic to see London getting its buzz back, and the Night Tube offers a safe, quick way to travel across the city at night, whether you’re out enjoying the capital’s world-leading culture and hospitality, or one of the 1.6 million people that regularly work at night making your way home.”