22.05.15
New Tube map marks launch of TfL Rail
Transport for London (TfL) has released a new Tube map to mark the arrival of 28 new Overground stations onto its network, along with the launch of TfL Rail.
The new map has a lot more orange than previous versions, showing that London Overground is to take over services to 28 new stations that are currently served by Abellio Greater Anglia, including lines out of Liverpool Street to Cheshunt, Chingford and Enfield. The Emerson Park line is now an Overground service too.
TfL will also take over the running of Shenfield to Liverpool Street, a service that will eventually become part of Crossrail. Until then it will be operated under the brand TfL Rail, so the current rolling stock and service levels aren’t confused with what the future Crossrail brand will offer.
The services will all transfer to TfL operation starting 31 May and when they do over 80% of current rail journeys will reduce in price, with the remaining 20% of fares remaining unchanged.
Examples of the new fares are:
- Peak Zones 1-6 pay as you go fare from Romford to Oxford Circus will fall from £7.60 to £5.10 (a 30% reduction) with the off-peak fare falling from £5.20 to £3.10 (a 40% reduction)
- Peak Zones 1-6 pay as you go fare from Cheshunt to Zone 1 will fall from £8.20 to £6.90 (a 15% reduction) with the off-peak fare falling from £6.20 to £4.00 (a 35% reduction)
Managing director of London Rail, Mike Brown, said: “We are very pleased to take over responsibility for these routes into and out of Liverpool Street and, over time, look forward to improving the services for the passengers using them.
“Just as on London Underground, people will see staff at our stations at all times when trains are running – providing reassurance to the public as well as a turn up and go service for disabled customers.
“Passengers will also benefit from new fares which, in the most cases, will save them money, with Oyster and contactless payment continuing to provide the best value.”
The new map also shows that a kink has been introduced into the Central line, paving the way for a future Crossrail line, between Kingsway and Bond Street.
Above the key to the lines there is also a box to advertise the forthcoming Night Tube service. It reads: “From the early hours of 12 September 2015, Londoners and visitors will be able to travel on the Jubilee, Victoria and most of the Piccadilly, Central and Northern Tube lines all night on Fridays and Saturdays.”
Stephen Locke, chair of watchdog London TravelWatch, said: "This transfer represents a very important step towards what we hope will be a major change in the way London’s train services are run – integrating them with TfL’s other transport services to give passengers a much better deal.
"Over the last eight years, passengers have benefited from the much improved quality of London Overground services, with decent standards for stations, enhanced ticketing facilities, additional staffing where appropriate and improved passenger information. As well as benefiting from lower fares and better value for money, we expect passengers to see an immediate improvement in some key areas such as the cleanliness of stations. We hope that this transfer of responsibility to TfL will become a model for national rail services elsewhere in London, especially south of the river where passengers have had a raw deal for far too long. We will be watching developments closely to ensure that the promised improvements are fully realised."
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