The new tube map marks the biggest change in Transport for London's recent history as it features the addition of the Elizabeth Line ahead of its launch
Tuesday the 24th of May will see services operating on the Elizabeth line's new central section from Paddington to Abbey Wood using tunnels underneath London which were constructed by Crossrail.
The pioneering new route is now part of the iconic Tube map and shows as a double purple line rather than a solid line to demonstrate the Elizabeth line as a new railway rather than a London Underground line.
Initially, the Elizabeth line will run 12 trains each hour between Paddington and Abbey Wood from Monday to Saturday. New stations for the line are now in their final stages of preparation before opening to the public with work such as signage and customer information.
To support customers in finding their way to or from the new stations, TfL has made changes to signage and way-finding right across London. The free TfL Go app will also be getting an update to its map to show the new route whilst featuring full accessibility information for users from the day of the launch. Apps that use TfL's open data feed will also show new station locations and entrances.
The current TfL Rail lines from Paddington to Heathrow and Reading, and from Liverpool Street to Shenfield will be rebranded as part of the Elizabeth line from day one of opening and are also displayed on the map in Elizabeth line purple. At first, customers will need to change at Paddington and Liverpool Street to access Elizabeth line services in the new central section.
By the end of 2022, all stations on the Elizabeth line will be step-free, with work currently underway to install lifts at Ilford and Romford stations. Stations from Paddington to Woolwich and at Heathrow offer level access from platforms to train which is also observed on the map.
The new Barking Riverside station on London Overground is also been featured on the map. This extension from Barking to Barking Riverside will offer the area new public transport links, enhancing connectivity and accessibility for the local community once it opens in Autumn.
Julie Dixon, Interim Customer and Revenue Director, said:
“Our world-renowned map now has another iconic addition in the Elizabeth line, which will serve London and the south-east for hundreds of years to come. When we open on Tuesday 24 May, the new Elizabeth line will begin providing greater connectivity and step-free access from Reading and Heathrow to Shenfield and Abbey Wood through the centre of London.
“This latest Tube map is a real credit to the team who have put it together. It has been both a challenge and a privilege to update Harry Beck's original design to literally put a new piece of transport history on the map. This latest version takes into account a number of wider changes to the transport network, but will ensure Londoners and visitors alike are able to navigate around our transport network with ease.”
The Northern lines Bank branch re-opened on the 16th of May and has also featured on the new map. The temporary closure allowed vital work to be completed for the new Northern line tunnel, platform and passenger concourse at Bank station which comes as part of the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade. The closure has also seen work carried out on lifts and escalators, alongside refurbishment work at Borough and enabling works for the future Elephant & Castle Station upgrade. In March 2022, Harrow-on-the-Hill station became step-free and is also featured on the updated map.
The updated pocket Tube maps front cover has been designed by London-based artist Joy Labinjo. Joy's original artwork is called ‘Twist Out' and captures an intimate mother-daughter routine as a mother is seen preparing her daughter's hair for a ‘twist out' hairstyle and reflects the artist's own life experiences and memories as a British-Nigerian woman.
IKEA are the sponsor of the new Tube map for the next 12 months which also features markers showing the nearest public transport options to get to their stores.
Michael Hawkins, London market area manager at IKEA, said:
“As we create a more accessible and sustainable IKEA, we want to make it easier for our customers to visit us via public transport. Sponsoring the instantly recognisable design icon that is the Tube map will support customers in finding the easiest way to us.”
Later this year, Bond Street Elizabeth line station is set to open, with work ongoing at Bond Street to finish the station for customers as soon as possible and will feature two entrances, one at Davies Street and will provide interchanges with Central and Jubilee lines and one at Hanover Square.
Wow, I am surprised!