"Points of Interest" Tube Map

Haven't seen many spoof or alternative London Underground maps for a while, so it was refreshing to see a work in progress, sent to me by the good folk at LDN Interesting. It takes the Tube map and replaces station names with "main points of interest" for the area. I like how these main points interest should be taken with a massive pinch of salt:


If you look on the whole map, you'll see all of the Heathrow stations simply saying "To other places". Limehouse seems to be just known for Ian McKellen, Camden Town for Goths, Canonbury for Guardian Readers and Kentish Town for Struggling Indie Bands.

Dan Zambonini who came up with the idea is looking for people to help him complete the map, so please leave suggestions in the comments or reply to him on Twitter!

It's interesting to see the suggestions already being made and how people can associate a whole area of London with an actor or a bunch of restaurants.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/points-of-interest-tube-map.html

Nom Nom Nom Voting & Charity Raffle

Some of you will know that I helped to organise Nom Nom Nom again this year, which was basically a blogger's version of MasterChef. It's now time for the public vote and there's some familiar faces to this blog to vote for. L J Rich (you'll remember her from my fab trip on the Orient Express last year) & Jemimah (fab blog post on the day) who made up Team Bork Bork Bork & Cowfish (the evil clue master of the London Transport Museum Flickr Scavenger Hunt) & Eater. I'm sure they would really appreciate your votes!




You've got till this Friday to vote!

Also we've got lots and lots of scrumptious foodie goodies up for grabs in a charity raffle in aid of Action Against Hunger. They include meals out at Le Gavroche, hampers, wine, BBQ sets, fudge and even a lesson at the Cookery School where the event took place. Tickets are only a fiver and as not all of the prizes have been bid on yet, you're in with a good chance of winning. Good luck!

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/nom-nom-nom-voting-charity-raffle.html

First new Tubes in ten years

The first new London Underground trains in 10 years have entered the system on the Victoria Line. Look out for them as they're gradually being phased in as part of the £750m Victoria line upgrade.


Peter Miller pictured above said "Completely by chance, just had most exciting experience to be had on the Tube - inaugural journey of new advanced train on Victoria line!"

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's transport director, said: "Londoners have heard a lot of talk about investment on the Tube, but now they can see and experience the reality of the upgrades that they have been promised. The new trains are a fantastic, state-of-the-art addition to the Tube network, which - along with signal upgrades - will transform the journeys of those using the Victoria line." There's more on the upgrade & new trains here.

If you manage to find yourself in one, tell us what the journey was like & thanks to Utku for spotting Peter's experience.


He said that he managed to outgeek other Tube geeks on the train when he asked them how the signalling worked & how much software would need updating if a new station were added.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, July 27, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/first-new-tubes-in-ten-years.html

Tube Photo of the Week & Holiday

It's the cheery guys at Warwick Avenue again. SamCarelse spotted this and said "Some sensible advice from London Underground staff during the heat wave".


Thanks to Mags Halliday for the hat tip to this. Plus it's kind of appropriate for me to post today as I'll be going on holiday for the next week, so there'll be a break in posting on the blog.

I'll be relaxing on a yoga holiday in the south of France, near the Pyrenees and am looking forward to no commuting or computers. Have a good week & see you again soon.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, July 17, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/tube-photo-of-week-holiday.html

Plain Clothes Ticket Inspectors

Great shot of a Tube cat "inspector" by chubbster

Interesting experience from Patrick who emailed me with the following:

"Had to inform you of a peculiar incident that occurred to me on the 13th July on the Metropolitan line. At Finchley Road, a lady dressed shall we say rather casually (jeans & t-shirt) hopped on the train and proceeded to ask passengers for tickets. Nothing unusual in that you might say, though it's my first time I've been asked for a ticket in all the years riding the Tube.

The lady was going through the carriage swinging a Primark bag (!) in one hand and a ticket machine in the other. Everybody on the train seemed to think it was a bit bizarre and questioned whether this inspector was for real. Maybe plain clothes inspectors dressed casually, in this case very casually, disguised as ordinary passengers carrying shopping bags is the latest innovation by TfL!"

Occasionally on the District Line I get asked to show a ticket, but it's pretty rare and in those cases, the people asking look pretty obviously TfL dressed. I know there are a number of plain clothes inspectors hanging around stations, but I've never heard of them on the London Underground carriages themselves.

I suppose if she had a machine checking tickets, it's pretty hard to fake that & perhaps the Primark bag would have added to the "undercover" look even more.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/plain-clothes-ticket-inspectors.html

The Most Crowded Train in the World?

When you see scenes like this, it makes you tempted (almost) to never moan about an overcrowded London Underground journey again. A Japanese comedian decided to seek out what might be the most crowded train in the world. She found it in India.


Thanks to Jon Justice for sending this to me. He said "I don't feel as bad about the Tube now.

Oh, I should point out that the female reporter is a comedian and those eyebrows are drawn on and a part of her comedy character. I have no idea why..."

Presumably in this case they might to help catch some of the sweat pouring off her face in that hellish trip.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/most-crowded-train-in-world.html

Pelham 123 - Subway movie remake

You might have seen posters for a subway thriller starring Denzil Washington & John Travolta on the London Underground. It's a remake of the 1970's film which starred Walter Matthau, about a group of gunman who hijack the carriage of a New York subway train & threaten to kill a passenger for every minute the ransom is not delivered.

James Cridland took the picture below & said "I was at a press screening of it a few months ago, and can thoroughly recommend it; New York subway-based action thriller, where the action starts in the first 60 seconds and continues until the end if the film. Never a dull moment."


I remember enjoying the original film, which really played on the claustrophobia of being trapped in the carriage & the tense negotiations taking place in the subway control room. It's interesting how one of the old posters for this focussed much more on the fear & chaos in the carriage than on the stars:


When I was in New York last year, they had a number of posters for the film in Transit Museum there. The illustrated version stood out more to me than the close ups of the actors below:


I noticed some poster sites on the Tube also have short clips of the film built into the advert's hoarding. I wonder how much effort the film company had to go through, persuading CBS outdoor & TfL that these film shorts wouldn't put people off travelling on the Tube? Times have changed from when the poster for Tube horror film Creep was temporarily banned in case it "frightened customers".

The Taking of Pelham 123 will be out nationwide from July 31st, let us know what you think of it.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/pelham-123-subway-movie-remake.html

How well do you know your Tube stations

Transport for London are running a photo quiz where you have to name 10 London Underground stations from picture clues.

It seems to be much harder than you might think as they've had nearly 100 entries but so far only one person has got all ten correct. I'm sure readers of this blog will be able to do this easily. In fact I'm pretty sure even I know all ten, but only with the help of the clues.


You can enter the competition here as there are prizes (a trip to the London Transport Museum) for the first five people who get all ten by July 31st.

Have fun!

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, July 10, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-well-do-you-know-your-tube-stations.html

Want to find nearest Tube station? There's an app for that

One of the first augmented reality apps to go live in the iPhone AppStore is an amazing app for finding your nearest London Underground station. Acrossair have brought out a magical app that directs you to nearby Tubes in a wonderfully visual way. "By tilting the phone upwards, you will see the nearest stations: what direction they are in relation to your location, how many kilometres and miles away they are and what Tube Lines they are on. If you continue to tilt the phone upwards, you will see stations further away, as stacked icons."


It's only available to Apple iPhone 3GS users and almost makes me want to get one.

Thanks to sizemore & Jon Justice for the heads up on this.

I can't even pretend to understand the technology or "the science bit" behind this. So I'll leave Engadget to explain how it came about: "With the iPhone 3GS pimping an improved camera, in built compass and GPS, we had a hunch that it wouldn't be long before someone slammed them all together and gave commuters and tourists alike a reason to smile."

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, July 09, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/want-to-find-nearest-tube-station.html

Tube Photo of the Week

Of all of the boards showing temporary announcements on the London Underground, I've never seen one giving a warning about pigeons. Andrew Grill's eagle eyes spotted one:


Wonder what station this large pigeon was perched at?

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 08, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/tube-photo-of-week_08.html

London Assembly want your Tube Experience views

The London Assembly Transport Committee investigation kicks off with a public meeting today and is looking at how well (or badly) TfL is managing both overcrowding and the upgrade programme on the London Underground.


Things they're investigating include: what impact overcrowding and line closures have on our journeys, and on other modes of transport. Also how satisfactory are the alternative travel arrangements on offer when lines or stations are closed on weekends so upgrade works can take place?

The investigation will look in particular at the impact of weekend closures for engineering works on the Jubilee line, on both passengers and on venues along the route like The O2 and ExCel. Can lessons be learned or could TfL take an alternative approach to future upgrade works, especially on the Piccadilly line, which normally carries around 800,000 passengers on weekends?

It would be really helpful if you could fill in a short questionnaire of your experiences and also feel free to leave comments about weekend engineering works and overcrowding below.

If you're free at 10am this morning, the Transport Committee meeting is at The Chamber at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1). The meeting can also be viewed via webcast

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 08, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/london-assembly-want-your-tube.html

Tube workers balloted on strike action

Union leaders from Unite rejected a "final" pay offer today, so 600 London Underground engineers and electrical workers are going to be balloted for industrial action.

Unite's regional officer said today "London Underground presented this as a final offer (two year offer of 1.5 per cent in the first year and RPI plus 0.5 per cent in the second year), indicating to us that they are no longer interested in negotiating.

"In these circumstances we have no other option than to ballot our members on industrial action with a recommendation that they vote in favour.

"Unite would welcome further discussions should London Underground wish to return to the negotiating table."

As the members are responsible for safety, maintenance, management and power control, any industrial action would stop the Tube system from running. We're still waiting to hear about the RMT & London Underground's ongoing dispute over pay and job losses.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, July 07, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/tube-workers-balloted-on-strike-action.html

4 years on from July 7th London Transport Bombings

Four years ago today, 52 people were killed in bomb attacks on the London Underground and a London bus. In memory of the people who died, a £1 million permanent memorial will be unveiled in Hyde Park later today.


It was a day most Londoners will never forget and fitting that there's now a permanent place to mark the names of random people who were going about their everyday commutes, never knowing it would be the last journey of their lives.

My thoughts are with the families of those who died and also with the many people who were injured in the attacks.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, July 07, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/4-years-on-from-july-7th-london.html

Person on a Tube Line

If you've ever wanted to find out what happens to people on a London Underground train when there's a person on the line, there's a interesting blog post from Andrew Jaffe. Yesterday lunchtime, trains weren't stopping at King's Cross station because of a "one under" - horrible phrase, but that's what Tube staff call it.

Andrew said, when the driver were informed of the incident "After a few more minutes he told us that we may have to 'de-train' but that he'd let us know when authorization came. He implied that if the unfortunate victim were still alive it could take up to a couple of hours.

Given those circumstances, we were not too unhappy that things took a while. Eventually, the staff from Caledonian Road station showed up, and started leading us off the train, giving us the unfortunate chance for a rare London experience:


After they walked through the tunnel to the next station. Andrew said: "We got loaded onto buses and made it into central London. On the way, I passed Kings X station itself, to find the (Virgin!) Air Ambulance ready to rescue the 'person under the train'"


"If nothing else, the British (and, I think, even we foreigners who happen to have found ourselves here) tend to be pretty relaxed in a crisis, and so we were. Given that this was on Sunday in July, we were lucky that the train wasn't much hotter and more crowded with people commuting to work, so we could manage to be more amused by the situation than anything else. Damped, to be sure, by the sad circumstances that had caused all of this. But still: blitz spirit, Keep Calm and Carry On, and all that."

There's more pictures from the evacuation on Andrew's Flickr set.

Funnily enough only last week Ianvisits sent me a link to a post about the length of time it takes to re-open roads and railway lines, if there has been a fatality or person on a line.

"Lord Faulkner said the British Transport Police, 'which is primarily responsible for dealing with the sort of incident on the railway to which he refers, has a remarkably good record in getting lines open again.

'It has a target of 90 minutes; last year it exceeded that and achieved a reopening time of 76 minutes, and I am told that it hopes to do better again this year."

It's an awful thing having to balance the speed of getting people on their travels again, with the sensitivity of telling people what's being going on. I'm pleased that Andrew said in this case, the evacuation went smoothly and people were quite relaxed and understandable. However, in the rush hour, I've heard loads of people tutting and getting really hot under the collar when a person on the line causes problems to their journey.

Isn't it easier as Andrew says to "Keep Calm & Carry On" and have a bit of sympathy for the people involved?

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, July 06, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/person-on-tube-line.html

Hot Tube Cartoons

Amongst the stories in the London papers about how ridiculously hot the London Underground is that moment, a couple of cartoons really stood out. Thelondonpaper were spot on with their microwave Tube carriage:


Ianvisits spotted something similar in The Telegraph


Fortunately next year, some of us might have some relief with the air conditioned Tubes when they are rolled out on the Metropolitan Line. But with deep level lines there's still no hope for cooler Tubes as Boris Johnson says "The difficulty is of course that it will ramp up the public pressure on us to deliver air-conditioning on the deep lines as well."

Each year we hear that TfL are working on cooler Tubes (when Ken Livingstone was mayor he offered a six figure reward for someone who could come up with a solution) and each year we swelter on deep level lines. Maybe one day, we'll see it, but until then it's a case of sweating and bearing it.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, July 03, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/hot-tube-cartoons.html

Tube Photo of the Week

It could be a new advertising campaign. It could be a message from the London Underground. It could be message from Boris. But I loved this photo that Mister Rad took at Bond Street Tube station.


Mister Rad said "This person decided to ignore it ... but an evil plan like this was bound to attract some attention!"

If you happen to see a Dr Evil look-a-like on the Tube hastily putting up posters let us know.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, July 02, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/tube-photo-of-week.html

The Outer Limits – Beyond Zone One

It's funny how even Transport for London and the London Transport Museum, see London beyond zone one as the "Outer Limits". But if you think there's more to London than Zone one and have a eye for design you could have the chance of changing this and bagging yourself a thousand pounds too.

"Continuing the tradition of commissioning cutting edge poster design, London Transport Museum and Transport for London (TfL), along with partners London Design Festival and Visit London, have launched an open competition to design a poster that celebrates the discoveries, pleasures and excitements that London has to offer beyond the city centre.


The winning design will become part of London Transport Museum's collection and will be reproduced as a poster for display on TfL's transport network.

Entrants are encouraged to use all variety of media and current technologies to create their take on contemporary poster design to reflect London's position as a leading design capital City. The poster must work within the contemporary display contexts of TfL's busy public environments and should conform to the rules and conventions of public display. It is important to remember any piece of advertising design will only have 3 seconds to attract the attention of a passer by."

Full details and a list of prizes are on TfL's site. I've heard that the competition organisers are particularly interested in receiving designs that feature modern life in the following London boroughs: Barking & Dagenham, Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harringay, Harrow, Islington, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth. Maybe these areas are under-represented in the Tube's current posters!

You have until July 27th to enter. Good luck.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, July 02, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/07/outer-limits-beyond-zone-one.html

Sleepng on the Tube

This morning I think I saw the worst case of a London Underground sleeper ever. There was a guy on the Piccadilly Line who was completely sprawled out with his feet going right across to the people on the other side. Luckily I was able to grab the seat that was next door but one to him, unlike my unlucky fellow commuters.


You can also see from the picture above that he didn't even stir when someone opposite actually rested on his foot. (Although he must have been oblivious to the fact that he was using someone else's foot as a ... err... footstool).

Sleeping guy spent the vast majority of the journey falling asleep on the men on either side of him. They tried to wake him up by giving massive shrugs of their shoulders, but Sleepy was out for the count. He'd sit up for a nano second and then fall asleep on the other guy. To his credit he gave them a bit of respite by occasionally lolling with his head back, so it hit the window a number of times. That didn't wake him up either.

I got off the Tube as normal, but wouldn't be surprised if the poor guy slept until Cockfosters. If ever there was a case for the "Wakemeupat" stickers, this was it. Although I have no idea what kind of shaking it would have taken to have woken him.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/sleepng-on-tube.html

Want to be a Tube Busker?

Budding young Buskers can get the chance to win a 20 minute on a prime performance pitch on the London Underground. On Saturday 11th July 100 musicians aged between 16 and 25 will take part in an event called "Rhythm of London".


To take part, you need to send a 30 seconds - 1 minute (max) film/video of you or your band playing to Rhythm of London Audition Team. A panel of judges will judge will select the top 100 performers, then the top 10 buskers will go to a public vote. It what will be a "busk off" or "Strictly Come Busking Idol X Factor" final, the overall prizes include a year's licence to busk on the Tube, plus a guitar signed & donated by Sting.

Deadline for entries is noon on the 6th July.

Even though there's still no official sponsors for buskers on the Tube, this competition shows that buskers are still backed by Transport for London.

I'm still surprised that an official sponsor hasn't been found to replace thelondonpaper and Capital.fm who were last behind the buskers. Surely there'd be some music company that could get some benefit from advertising on the spots that millions of people pass each day?

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, June 29, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/want-to-be-tube-busker.html

London Underground in Bloom

Imagine if the Tube really looked like the image below:


TfL have released a set of digitally transformed pictures which show stations turned into dramatic and tropicial looking urban vistas to launch Underground in Bloom a Tube gardening competition.

"Underground in Bloom is a competition which recognises London Underground (LU) staff who have added to their station by growing flowers and plants and in some cases even fruit and vegetables within a completely urban landscape. This helps to improve the local environment, encourages flora and fauna and makes travelling more pleasant for passengers."


Apparently this year's is the biggest ever competition with almost a quarter of stations, train depots and service control rooms across the system entering. It's not just the suburban stations entering, so look out for a colourful display of flowers at Oxford Circus, Sloane Square, South Kensington and Victoria too.

There are eight categories in the competition - Best Newcomer, Cultivated Garden, Hanging Baskets – the John Knight award, Trains and Service Control, Tubs, the Dennis Sanger special award, Best Overall Garden and Gardens in Bloom an art category.

London Underground's COO Howard Collins, said: "The Underground in Bloom competition shows that there is a lot more to London Underground than tracks, trains and tunnels.

"The work of staff, beyond the call of duty, helps to create a more colourful and pleasant station environment, which can benefit passengers while protecting and maintaining the variety of wildlife and plants on the Tube for the benefit of London as a whole."

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, June 26, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/london-underground-in-bloom.html

Michael Jackson Tube Thriller

I only heard about Michael Jackson's death on the radio this morning, which was a massive shock, specially as I didn't hear it in a news item and was half asleep. He was a big part of my childhood and this video of a group of dancers on the London Underground last year is small tribute.


It was to mark the 25th anniversary of his Thriller album. RIP Michael, you'll be missed.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, June 26, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/michael-jackson-tube-thriller.html

Tube Drivers' philosophical announcements

For years, I've been collecting overheard unofficial announcements made by London Underground drivers, well now it appears that we'll hear something a little more thoughtful than Mind the Gap. Transport for London have asked artist Jeremy Deller to come up with a list of quotations to put into drivers' communications with passengers.


It appears to be like the Thoughts of the Day on the whiteboards we've seen on some Tube stations. Satre, Gandhi and Einstein are some of the great thinkers you'll be hearing on your journey. The quotes include "An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory" and "A stumble may prevent a fall" to the more philosophical "The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected".


I wonder what bought about this change of heart? What do you think of the announcements and have you heard any yourself yet? The lady at the end of the BBC piece about the announcements, thinks they're a good idea but says that she'd be driven mad by them if there was a quote at every stop on a daily commute.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, June 25, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/tube-drivers-philosophical.html

Wired goes Underground

Wired magazine brought out a UK version of the popular US publication a couple of months ago, and they appear to have an inner Tube geek. They sent a reporter to Euston station to see what happens to the London Underground overnight. Thanks to John W for sending me the link.


He felt the delivery of the piece was a bit patronising. I know what he means. For Wired I was expecting something a bit more hard-hitting or at least with a more curious bent or maybe even something that delved into some unusual technological discovery or secret that no one knew about.

I suppose the problem with filming anything when you're invited in at a time when no one else is around, is that you'd have to get Tube Lines to clear the film & "in the current climate" anything hidden or secret would need to be kept exactly that. I know from personal experience that you more or less have to give Tube Lines your blood group, mother's maiden name & a lot of other personal details to get underground out of hours!

Still if you'd like to see a short piece about some of the engineering & cleaning work that goes on in the small hours, it's does the job! Let us know what you think.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, June 25, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/wired-goes-underground.html

Air Conditioned Tubes trialled

Trials of the new air conditioned London Underground carriages are taking place up in Leicestershire today. The BBC reporter is filmed showing temperatures on board at around 17 degrees centigrade, so that will be a relief for many commuters when they are rolled out on the Metropolitan Line in September 2010.


The trials are expected to finished by the end of this year. Then, all going well with the Metropolitan launch, the new stock will then be released on the District, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.


Not only will the new S stock be cooler, the trains will be larger and longer with capacity increased by nearly 20%. Roll on the launch, although cooling deep level lines like the Northern and Victoria will still be challenge.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/air-conditioned-tubes-trialled.html

Dogs riding the subway

You've probably seen pigeons using the London Underground & there's a number of theories around as to whether they are travelling with intent. Thanks to Jon Justice, I found that in on the subway in Moscow there are a number of stay dogs who are so smart that they get the Moscow Metro into the centre of the city in order to secure better food. And then ride it back out to the suburbs at night.


English Russia website said "Moscow ecologists think that dogs started acquiring this habits in 1990s, when the Soviet union collapsed and Moscow fell into the hands of new class of Russian capitalists." The homes that they used to shelter in were removed to the outskirts "so the dogs had to move together with their houses, so they had to learn how to travel Moscow subway - first to get to the centre in the morning then back home in the evening, just as us people."


They certainly seem at home on the subway and if you look at the video at the end of the post, some of them seem, well..... a little too much at home.

Fortunately I don't think there are enough stray dogs around London to see them using the Tube by themselves. I could imagine that cats would be sneaky enough to give it a try, but as they're not as social as dogs, I think we can rest assured that our feline friends won't be cat napping on the Tube with us.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/dogs-riding-subway.html

Tube Photo of the Week

I love seeing images of the London Underground, which are less corporate than normal and show that there's people behind the system and not just a bunch of robots. So thanks to Col who sent me a picture of Kennington station with a thought for the day:


Any more pictures like this are more than welcome to add to the cheerful ones at Warwick Avenue.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, June 22, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/tube-photo-of-week_22.html

Talks to avert another Tube strike

Later today union leaders are going to meet London Underground for talks to stop another round of Tube strikes. The dispute is over job losses, pay and disciplinary issues. There was some argument as to whether a pay deal was actually reached last time, with both sides accusing each other of pulling out of the deal at the last minute.

RMT leader, Bob Crow or BoCro accused London mayor Boris Johnson or BoJo of "playing politics" with the Tube by deliberately intervening to scupper a last-minute deal. BoJo retaliated by saying that allegation was "completely untrue".


Earlier this week Crow also threw some issues of safety into the mix. He said that London Underground planned a £60million cut in spend on maintenance. "Only last week, Tube bosses were telling us during our strike that they could slash budgets and axe jobs without hitting services

"This latest package of £60million cuts nails those claims as a bare-faced lie. Londoners need to wake up to what's going on with the financial crisis on the Underground."

London Underground's interim managing director, Richard Parry, countered this and said "There is absolutely no truth in the RMT leadership's claims that we have reduced safety standards on former Metronet lines.

"London Underground has an excellent and improving safety record. The safety of our passengers and staff is our top priority."

While the arguments and counter arguments, claims and counter claims go on, let's hope that something gets resolved this time.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, June 19, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2009/06/talks-to-avert-another-tube-strike.html

Goodwill vouchers for Tube Strike

If you were hit by last week's London Underground strike you can apply for a "goodwill" payment voucher from Transport for London. You can only get one if you were holding a seven-day or longer period travelcard on Oyster at the time of the strike.


This is the first time I can remember something called a "goodwill" voucher being offered, so make the most of it and spread the word. Your journey had to be "severely disrupted" and you don't have to wait until your ticket has expired before applying for it.

Full details and the online application form are here.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, June 18, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Exits or Mind the App

I used the swear by the Way Out Tube Map (swear by in a good way that is). It was a map that showed you where to get on to get off, or rather which carriage to get onto if you wanted to be nearest the exit when you left your London Underground journey. I've actually lost my well worn copy now and for new users it was fairly complicated.


Today there's a brand new app - Tube Exits - launched for the iPhone which takes the principles in the Way Out Tube map and made it a whole lot easier.

Tube Exits' creator Lance Stewart said "I found it frustrating arriving at a station and being at the wrong end of the platform behind the crowds, but loved it when the train would arrive perfectly adjacent to the exit I was looking for. I thought this doesn't need to be put down to chance any longer so created Tube Exits to help solve this problem. And yes, I did go to every station, most in-fact twice!"

Before you ask it does work underground, so you can plan your journey without an Internet connection, and work things out on the escalator or while waiting for the train on the platform.

The promo video has music from Ben Phaze using underground sounds.

You can also save your favourite journeys and also access your reverse journeys with one touch. Although with regular journeys you'll probably remember which carriage to use after a while, and I found the map or apps like this, more useful for new journey. Every station on the London Underground (Zones 1-9) is covered and there are already plans for more versions of the App covering different cities around the world.


Tube Exits is available for iPhone and iPod touch on the iPhone App Store. There's an introductory price of £1.79 (40% off £2.99 normal price) so it's about the cost of a single zone 1 Tube journey.

If you give it a try, I'd love to know what you think.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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See a Wartime Tube

If you want to see what the London Underground looked like in the second world war, it's worth popping over to Colindale station this weekend - 20th - 21st June.


"The entire station will be placed on World War II footing with staff in period costume and the station dressed in full 1940s regalia with sandbags, watch tower and a display showing how London Underground kept the capital moving during the war." Handy if last week's Tube strike gave you that "let's all pull together, spirit of the blitz feeling".

While you're there, you can visit the nearby RAF Museum to get into the full war time swing of things. "The Hendon Pageant takes the theme of Summer of 44 -The Flight Path to Liberty. There will be a chance to meet re-enactors and view military vehicles, fire engines and ambulances from the period. Special tours, talks and interactive workshops will also be taking place. Learn First Aid 1940s style courtesy of St. John Ambulance, enjoy rousing music and swinging beats with our 1940s concerts, meet the Land Girls, Air Raid Wardens and members of the Service and learn what a normal day was like for these individuals in 1944."


Thanks to Ianvisits for the heads up on this. There's more details on the following page, but please note that tickets for the 1938 tube ride are now sold out. Although you'll still be able to see the trains making the journey from Edgware via the Kennington Loop to Colindale station.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, June 15, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Strike continues - but service not at standstill

As negotiations continue with both the RMT and London Underground blaming each other for the break down in talks, it's good to know that seven of the eleven Tube lines have some service. Bear in mind that although the strike officially ends at 7pm tonight, you can expect disruption to the service until tomorrow morning.

However, the good thing is that many Aslef drivers turned up for work and some of RMT's own members broke the strike and reported in for duty. Aslef, which represents 2,000 tube drivers, said that the strike action was inappropriate when progress was being made in negotiations. Aslef's general secretary Keith Norman said "Our members are not involved in this dispute. We believe it can be solved through negotiation. The fact that so many Aslef drivers have turned up for work is highly significant. In the past they would have refused to cross picket lines".


In the meantime people have been using the net in various ways to cope with the strike. There's was a Punch Bob Crow page if you want to give the RMT leader a thick ear or a black eye (sadly the link doesn't work anymore & has been taken over by some spam).

More positively, Paul Clarke was ferrying Londoners about the city for free rides on his motorbike. He set up something called Tweetbike on Twitter and was taking requests for riders across the city, as they tweeted him for rides using the hashtage #tweetbike. Lisa Deveney described her ride to the BBC.

The good thing was that London wasn't bought to a standstill and commuters and many staff did their best to get into work and get people moving. Good luck on your journey today and I'd like to thank all of the staff who crossed picket lines to get things moving yesterday and today. Hopefully once BoJo and BoCro stop blaming each other for talks failing, stop talking about talking and sign some deal, we'll get back to normal.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, June 11, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Strike over sacked drivers

So just when most of us thought the current London Underground strike was all about pay, it appears that the latest pay deal which TfL offered was accepted but at the last minute RMT union leaders demanded the re-instatement of two sacked drivers.

One driver was sacked over opening the doors on the wrong side of a Victoria Line train & then lying about carrying out safety checks and the other was sacked for theft. Peter Hendy, Transport Commissioner said "We believed we were making progress until last night (Monday night) when the RMT said 'We'll strike unless you reinstate our sacked members'. That the RMT should cause chaos for no good reason is outrageous. We want to go forward, not back, and striking isn't the way to do that".


At time of writing, there is nothing on the RMT's site about the reinstatement of the drivers or about TfL meeting them with a pay deal they were happy with. Like the commenters on yesterday's post I wonder how many RMT members would have gone on strike purely because of the two sacked drivers?

Was this even one of the questions tabled as part of the ballot? Have RMT senior members stretched the "yes" vote to include this new element? 10,000 staff were eligible to vote, 2,810 supported strike action with 488 against. The remainder did not vote, reported The Evening Standard. How would this strike had gone if all factors were on the table?

I guess we'll really never know.


Some workers may decide to cross picket lines and carry on working as normal, so there may be a chance your line or station is operating. For now, as the notice at my station last night said, keep a close eye on the TfL website and listen to local news to see how you'll be able to get into work today.


The Northern Line and Jubilee lines seem to be offering the best service (with a few stations closed on them), but the Bakerloo, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Waterloo & City Lines are completely suspended. Other lines are running a partial service with some stations on those lines completely closed. The situation is changing all the time and TfL are aiming to get more stations open, so check before you leave home.

On a lighter note - The only funny thing I'ce seen to come out of the Tube Strike so far is a fun Tube Strike drinking game based on headlines we may see today in the press, or hear on TV. My favourites are:

"Bob Crow complains about 'bullying', demonstrating slight lack of self-awareness. (A Watney's Party 7)

Commuter gets fined for trying to use Oyster pre-pay on mainline rail, despite TfL pledge that it’ll be allowed. (three fingers of Bacardi)

33,796 England fans sing 'Bob Crow, is a wanker, is a wanker' live on ITV1 (case of Stella, followed by 18, 453 and 53 buses home)

London news media properly investigate why industrial relations on Tube are so bad. (a shot of… hang on, that’s just taking the piss)"

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Strike is on

After 10 hours of talks, the 48 hour London Underground strike will be going ahead from 7pm tonight - 9th June. Although it will end on 18:58 on Thursday 11 June, it's expected that services won't really get back to normal until Friday morning.


Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy said "The RMT's leadership has shown yet again that no matter how far an offer is made, they would rather strike than talk.

"Their attitude is a slap in the face to all hard-working Londoners and businesses struggling through a deep recession."

He continued: "the impact on Tube services is likely to be significant..... A massive effort is being made including boosting bus and river services, providing escorted commuter cycle rides and more central London cycle parking, and distributing thousands of walking maps at central London rail and Tube stations.

"Pay as you go will also be accepted on all National Rail services within Greater London and there will be marshalled taxi sharing facilities at six major rail stations."

London Overground and Docklands Light Railway services will be operating as normal. But the congestion charge will still remain in operation. The mayor's approach to all this is to tell people to get on their bikes. There will be led cycle rides with TfL volunteers providing maps, guidance and refreshments for five escorted rides. Full details are on a new website "Bike the Strike".

On the river boats, existing services will be boosted from a capacity of 1,500 to 8,000 an hour and will include an additional free shuttle service from London Bridge to Tower Bridge.

TfL made a new four year pay deal of 1.5% this year and then the inflation rate plus 0.5%; or a two-year deal of 1% now and inflation plus 0.5% in year two. However this wasn't good enough for the RMT who want a 5% pay rise and a promise of no redundancies.

RMT leader Bob Crow said "Not only could the management side not reach an agreement on the kind of deal needed to end this dispute, they also found it difficult to stick to existing agreements on redundancies.

"The strike will now go ahead and we expect it to be solidly supported."

Whether it is solidly supported remains to seen, but we can definitely expect massive disruption to the service. Keep an eye on the TfL's website before you travel and good luck with your journey over the next three days.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, June 09, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Photo of the Week

The guys from Warwick Avenue London Underground station are at it again, with their positive little messages and cartoons to cheer commuters up on their journey.


Kapi said of their daily message that it "Never fails to bring a smile to my face."

I'd guessed it was Warwick Avenue Tube because of the cheese photo that I'd previously blogged.


Kapi said of the guy in the photo that he's: "The nicest man, he was actually wishing everyone good evening as they passed by."

I always love seeing Tube staff showing that the system is run by real people and that some staff want to make a small attempt to brighten up a daily commute.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, June 08, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Strike talks continue as RMT appeal to ASLEF

Today at noon there will be more talks between the RMT and London Underground in an attempt to stop next week's Tube strike.

Bob Crow said "We hope that the Mayor, who was full of praise for his transport staff earlier this year when they struggled against the snow to try and keep London moving, will issue a clear mandate to his senior staff to lift the threat of pay cuts and compulsory redundancies and to rebuild the industrial relations machinery on the tube." Although Dave Hill from The Guardian wouldn't count on Boris's help here.



The RMT seem desperate to pull out all the stops with this strike and I've been sent a memo, which I believe to be true, of the RMT attempting to get ASLEF members to join them during the strike.

It also doesn't seem to hold much of an opinion for Boris either. "LUL's boss Boris Johnson has a deep seated political hatred for all unions and an ideological aim of seeing us broken on the underground" is highlighted in bold lettering.

It's worrying if this is a serious suggestion that members of another union should change their allegiance temporarily to support a strike that ASLEF members have not had an opportunity to vote on? It sounds very desperate and I wonder if it's even legal.

You can see the memo in full here, and I'd very keen to hear your views. Either way very interesting times ahead and we'll see what today's talks bring.

UPDATE - New offer from LU - Just heard the following from The Guardian's Dave Hill - "London Underground has today tabled what I'm told is a "fresh pay offer" to the RMT, Aslef and the TSSA. It covers two years instead of the five previously proposed and which the RMT rejected. It also proposes setting aside matters relating to the Olympics for now with a view to separate discussions.

My information is the all three unions have taken the offer away for consideration. The immediate big question is whether this development will persuade the RMT will to call off next week's strike action....

LU Interim Managing Director Richard Parry says, "There is now no reason whatsoever for the RMT leadership to continue to call for strike action next week." Bob Crow says, "The talks have been adjourned until Monday. Both sides will now consider their position and will get back around the table at 9.30 on Monday morning.."

Thanks also Dave for linking to the RMT memo above!

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, June 05, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Talks to avert Tube strike break down

Looks like hopes of next week's strike on the London Underground being called off are slim, as Bob Crow said "Industrial relations with TfL and LUL have completely broken down". The union leader accused TfL of "rank hypocrisy" in rejecting rejecting a 5% pay rise request while paying 123 TfL managers more than £100,000 a year.

The RMT's recent press release states "The pay figures show that five TfL/LUL chiefs earn more than a quarter of a million pounds a year plus bonuses. Fifteen TfL bosses, including the director of marketing, earn more than the Prime Minister."


Despite Crow's claims of completely broken down relations, TfL say they are still ready to talk at any time to try to avert the strike. A spokesperson said "Rather than pay cuts, TfL's offer actually guarantees LU employees real pay increases each year for the next five years - few Londoners can claim the same level of security.

"It has already been announced that TfL senior managers will see their salaries frozen this year.

"The RMT leadership should start talking to us rather than threatening strike action that is supported by less than 30% of their membership, will lose their members pay and will cause unnecessary frustration and disruption to Londoners."

Who knows there may be a last minute break through, but it's unlikely, so get prepared for 48 hours of no Tube from 7pm on Tuesday 9th June, running through to 7pm on Thursday 11th June.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, June 03, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Art on the Underground Giveaway

To celebrate the Jubilee Line's 30th birthday, some limited edition prints are being given out at certain stations from 7am - 12pm today - 2nd June & the 3rd June. The print by Richard Long is called One thing leads to another – Everything is connected and "contrasts the diverse landscape that the Jubilee line travels through, from Stanmore to Stratford, with the rugged landscape of the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland, which was traversed by Long on foot on one of the many walks he has made as an integral part of his art."


The prints are available at Stanmore, Wembley Park, Finchley Road, Baker Street, Green Park, Westminster, London Bridge, Canada Water, Canary Wharf and Stratford London Underground stations.

Full details are on the Tate Britain's website & Transport for London's Platform for Art. Thanks to Jemimah Knight for the heads up on this.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, June 02, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Updates in Handy Pie Charts

Thanks muchly to Brian Pigeon who gave me the heads up or rather beaks up to a nice little visual look at the status of London Underground Lines:


tubeupdates.com was developed by Ben Dodson who said: ""Ever since the Transport For London site was updated, I've wondered why they didn't provide a basic way of accessing their data which so many developers could make use of. I expected that they would have an RSS feed of the tube status updates but instead the only way to access this information was through a set of pre-built widgets. Not any more."

My idea was to have a fully featured REST-ful API that would allow any developer to instantly query what state the London Tube network was in. As a bonus, this would include the Docklands Light Railway and if possible would feature the individual messages that each line has in order to specify exactly why there is a delay or if any stations are closed, etc. A distant dream was to be able to search back through the various status changes over time so that other developers could build applications such as reliability graphs or time checkers."

When number of bloggers & myself met TfL last year we asked why their API wasn't open to developers, so it's good to see that people are trying to handle what little data is open to people. Surely some tools like this on their website or working closely with developers (many of whom have a lot more time their hands in the current economic climate) would benefit everyone?

Who knows it may happen in the future. But in the meantime while away some time seeing how reliable your line is, & feel free to get in touch with Ben if you've got any questions on the tool.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, June 01, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Walk the Piccadilly Line challenge

Quite a number of us will be walking into work if next week's Tube strike goes ahead, and this is just a quick reminder of train operator, Edward Spencer, challenge. He'll be running the entire length of the Piccadilly Line this Saturday to raise money for the NSPCC.


He said "You can find out about the blood sweat and tears (all mine!) and see some of the training runs which I linked to on my website"

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, June 01, 2009 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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