Although the unions have now come to terms with London Underground, the RMT is warning that it will be keeping a close eye on the operation. Gentrification has spread aggressively across the city like the Great Fire of 1666, except the Pudding Lane bakery is a board room at an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm, and beloved nightspots such as Plastic People, Rhythm Factory and Dance Tunnel have crumbled in its wake.
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The night tube is thought to boost the city’s night time economy.
He went on: “We need to be offering those enjoying London’s night life the most convenient way of travel and, indeed, help businesses operate as effectively as possible by ensuring that staff can commute to and from work as they need”.
The Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines will be rolled out in autumn.
The long-awaited Night Tube is finally launching tonight.
A report from London said that the night services on the London Underground, popularly known as the Tube, would begin on two lines.
Almost a year after the service was scheduled to start the all-night weekend service finally begins on the Central and Victoria lines, expanding to the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Northern lines in the autumn. It could thus add £77m ($100m) a year to the night-time economy by 2029, he reckons.
Over half a million people use the Tube after 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays – and the figure is forecast to rise as London continues to develop.
“That’s why we’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds in making stations and trains more accessible”.
The Chief executive Muscular Dystrophy UK, Robert Meadowcroft, said: “While the introduction of a 24-hour tube service could provide disabled people with improved social and employment options, the reality is a network still largely inaccessible and awkward for those with disabilities”.
Tottenham Hale is also the most in demand tube stop across the initial night tube service with property demand at 56%.
The mayor said he was “pleased and proud” that the service was ready to launch as he spoke to Transport for London (TfL) employees at Oxford Circus station.
Trains will run on the Victoria and Central lines on Fridays and Saturdays.
How will the Night Tube affect London?
Recorder reporter Matt Clemenson will be joining Mr Prince on the Night Tube’s maiden voyage this evening, so be sure to keep an eye out for their experiences in next week’s paper.
The London Underground opened in 1863 and now carries some 1.34 billion passengers annually on its 11 lines, which cover a total of 402 kilometers.
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And while younger Londoners cheered the opportunity to stay out later, others were more subdued.
