Written by: Mireia Cuevas Crespo
Picture: Mireia Cuevas Crespo
London mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed that the Night Tube will start running again next month, after thousands of people signed a petition to reinstate it following the sentencing of Sarah Everard’s killer.
Night tube services in London were shut last year in response to the COVID19 pandemic. With clubs and leisure centre’s in London resuming to normal, there has been great controversy among regular London underground users, who wondered why there has been such a big delay on the night tube returning. Concerns also growing after women’s safety has been compromised as a consequence of the unavailability of essential underground night services.
TFL spokesman has confirmed that one of the reasons for this delay is that they have been struggling with staff shortages and that the pandemic hindered their ability to train new drivers, something that still needs to take place on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also explained the reasons for this delay on Leading Britain’s Conversation, stating:
‘We have been trying to bring it back, TFL had been working very hard to bring it back. If I could explain the reason why it’s been impossible until now; it has been a combination of the government do and the lack of revenues that we have. Train operators have been moved to other lines in the daytime to make sure those could carry on running because of the pandemic and so forth. I hope we can make an announcement in the next couple of weeks because I understand the importance of the night tube’.
TFL has confirmed that the Night Tube will resume on the Central and Victoria lines on 27 November. Until then, travelers will be able to use alternative ways of transport such as 24hr buses.