14.03.16
Night Tube will open in August, Aslef claim
The Night Tube will open in August, according to train drivers’ union Aslef, although Transport for London (TfL) denied that a date has been set.
Aslef said in a statement today that the Tube will run all night on Fridays and Saturdays on the Victoria and Jubilee lines in August and then on the Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines in September.
The scheme was initially opposed by Aslef and trade unions RMT, TSSA and Unite, who went on strike last year, but is set to go ahead after Aslef and RMT accepted a revised pay offer.
Finn Brennan, Aslef’s organiser on London Underground, said: “We were always clear that we were in favour of Night Tube. A world-class capital city such as London deserves a world-class public transport system.
“We are really pleased that passengers will be able to enjoy an all-night service from August, operated under agreements that have improved conditions for existing drivers and created hundreds of new jobs, and new Aslef members.”
However, a TfL spokesperson said: “No date has yet been agreed for the launch of Night Tube but we are working hard to deliver it for London as quickly as possible.”
A report from TfL commissioner Mike Brown, to be considered at the TfL board’s 17 March meeting, said that all infrastructure and technical agreements for the introduction of the Night Tube are in place and the first part-time drivers are now being recruited and trained.
Brennan added that the new drivers were joining Aslef as well, and that the new deal means they will have the same benefits as existing drivers and the opportunity to work full-time.
(Image c. Metronet)