Transport for London has revealed that all Night Tube services will be completely restored from today ,Friday the 29th of July, following its suspension in March 2020 as a response to the pandemic. The full return will see services on the Piccadilly line run right through the night on both Fridays and Saturdays for Night Tube and Overground services providing customers with more choice and safer options for travelling through the city.
Night Tube services have been seeing a steady return in order to support London's economic recovery, which saw Central and Victoria as the first to operate with services returning during November 2021. A further boost came this summer as the Jubilee and Northern lines returned in May and June alongside Night Overground services operating between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate in December 2021.
The capital's recovery from the pandemic has been supported by a safe and reliable public transport operating both night and day. The full return of the Night Tube services means that both Londoners and visitors can enjoy everything the capital has to offer through weekend evenings with less travel time and offering further options and safer journeys for those travelling late at night.
Marking a key moment in London's recovery, the final return of Night Tube services on the Piccadilly line comes at the perfect time of year to support holidaymakers who require travel to and from Heathrow Airport through the night in order to continue their journeys.
Following the initial return of the Night Tube services back in November 2021 a massive 3.2 million entries and exits have been recorded which proves customers' ongoing confidence in the services being safe, clean and reliable. Weekday ridership for the Tube has also seen a 70% increase when compared to pre-pandemic levels with weekend usage now hitting over 85% of pre-pandemic levels on a regular basis.
The Night Tube brings a safe, low-crime environment with Transport for London having dedicated British Transport Police officers patrolling both stations and trains during Night Tube and Night Overground services which gives support and reassurance to staff members and customers. Throughout the Transport for London network, there are over 2,500 police and police community support officers alongside 500 Transport for London enforcement officers who patrol the network. Thousands of frontline transport staff members also offer customers support alongside a vast CCTV network installed across the Tube. All stations which open through the night are staffed at all times which provides passengers with someone to speak to should they have questions or need support. Customers can also report safety concerns directly to British Transport Police via the new ‘Railway Guardian' app or by texting 61016.
Transport for London also runs a substantial night bus network alongside the Night Overground which means everyone can travel across the capital right through the night. Over one hundred routes operate through the night with bus ridership hitting 80% regularly. Further to the Night Tube, Night Overground and night buses, licensed and regulated taxis and private hire vehicles offer door-to-door transport right around the clock. The Tube continually operates between approximately 05.30 and 00.30 across central London from Monday to Saturday.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
“I'm delighted that from this Friday there will be a complete Night Tube service running once again. The full return of the Night Tube is at the heart of my vision to build a better and safer London for everyone. It shows our city is bouncing back.
“I know this will be welcome news for Londoners and visitors to our city, helping people to make the most of everything on offer in the capital and supporting those working at night. Having all Night Tube lines running again will play a vital role in our city's recovery from the pandemic, boosting the night-time economy and helping people get around the city overnight at weekends.”
London's Night Czar, Amy Lamé, said:
“I'm thrilled that the Night Tube is returning to the Piccadilly line on Friday and Saturday nights. The return of all Night Tube services will enable those working throughout the night to travel to and from work safely and cheaply. Importantly, for the city's night-time businesses, this will also give Londoners and visitors more ways to access and enjoy the capital's world-leading hospitality and entertainment after dark.”
Nick Dent, TfL's Director of Customer Operations, said:
“It's great to see that our Night Tube services will be back to full strength this weekend, with the Piccadilly line Night Tube service resuming tomorrow evening. This will complete the reintroduction of all five Night Tube lines following a difficult two years. Night Tube provides a safe and quick travel option for all Londoners and visitors looking to make the most of all the capital has to offer in the evenings and those who need to travel to or from work at night. The summer is the perfect time for Londoners and visitors to enjoy everything in the city and we hope the full return of the Night Tube will be a further boost to the capital's recovery.”
Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance, said:
“This is an essential next step to support our world-leading night-time offering in the West End. As visitors and employees return to London, a safer and reliable mode of transport is a crucial service to help raise footfall and aid the economic recovery of our businesses. Alongside our plans to bolster the evening and night-time economy and support the businesses within it, we welcome the Night Tube's full reinstatement.”
Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer of Night Time Industries Association, said:
“We are extremely pleased to see the Night Tube services back to full capacity, with services on the Piccadilly line returning on 29 July, running through the night. Following a tough few years, it's great to see the industry and key stakeholders working together to re-establish these important transport links.
“As London starts to regain its pre-pandemic business levels, it's vitally important we build back confidence in our transport infrastructure and promote a safe and accessible night-time economy for customers and workers to travel throughout the capital.”
Heathrow's Chief Commercial Officer Ross Baker said:
“We are expecting a busy summer period and we want all of Heathrow's passengers and colleagues to have access to good public transport at the times they need it. We welcome the reintroduction of the Piccadilly line Night Tube service, to build on the network that keeps the UK's hub airport connected to London and beyond.”
RMT planned strike action set to take place until the 4th of December due to new rosters for the Night Tube has now been suspended and means that all Night Tube services will run as they did pre-pandemic.
ASLEF strike action is set to take place on Saturday the 30th of July and will mean that no Night Overground services will operate on that evening and through the early hours of Sunday the 31st of July. Customers are being advised to check their travel plans ahead with full information available via: http://tfl.gov.uk/rail-strike
Through the summer period, Transport for London services will be available for customers night and day to support their enjoyment of the city and will also promote excellent discounts and events for families which are easy to get to using the public transport network. Transport for London is also supporting Londoners by working with the Official London Theatre's annual Kids Week initiative which will see thousands more ‘kids go free' tickets for an array of top West End shows. During August, Kids Week provides children aged 17 and under the opportunity to enjoy a London theatre show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Discounts are also available for London Transport Museum with children going free as well as many food and drink destinations throughout the capital allowing customers to enjoy London for less.
Apart from the Waterloo & City Line that won’t be able to have a night service. The Central Line night service should extend to Epping and West Ruislip, Northern Line to extend the night service between Edgware & High Barnet-Battersea Power Station via Bank and to Morden.
Plus the London Overground to introduce night service on the Gospel Oak-Barking Riverside line, Liverpool Street-Chingford, Cheshunt and Enfield Town (Lea Valley Lines) (except Romford-Upminster shuttle) and Euston-Watford DC line.