Converses on the London Underground

Converse shoes are taking over the Tube. I'm a Converse fan, mainly as a result of writing about them on this blog for the Tube Fashion Victims. So I've become a Fashion Victim myself and wear them a lot now. It's not just because the current Dr Who wears them, it's because they're ridiculously comfortable and for woman with big feet I can buy "men's" ones and not look like I'm wearing mens's shoes.


Yesterday I decided to carry out a little experiment and see how many people I could spot wearing Converses or at least footwear that looked like Converses on the London Underground.

There were a lot of them and I didn't go on a particularly unusual journey to spot them. The picture above has my foot on the left with my new-(ish) black and red Converses (see below) sitting next to woman wearing the traditional black and white All Stars.


I got off at Hammersmith and there were loads of them:


This rock guy above won the "Too Cool for School" Converse on the Tube award. Other Glamoursmith ones are below including a couple of pretenders:


Onto the Piccadilly Line and there were several more:






Plus a guy wearing Merrells (I've been corrected in the comments - thanks) Etnies - which aren't Converses I know and much more blokey (I think)


Coming home late there weren't so many or I was too tired to spot them. There was a guy in some Vans (again not Converses)


But my favourites were a group of girls with Converses and Onya bags. They rocked - cool and green at the same time.


Look out for Converses on your Tube journey today and let me know how many you see. Feel free to count yourself if you're wearing them.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, July 18, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Cab Driver Night at London Transport Museum - free tickets up for grabs

One of the clues for the recent London Transport Museum Flickr Scavenger Hunt was the following: A cabin with a difference near a sacred station. It was one that my team - Team Bank - got correct.

"Cabbies have those little green huts dotted around London where they have tea and Lori knew that there was one near Temple Tube Station. So we jumped on the Tube and found it."


Not surprisingly this was also where we grabbed our first challenge picture - a Typical London Cabbie.


"He wasn't exactly typical as he was smiling (sort of) and didn't put the clock on the minute we stopped to speak to him. But he was kind enough to let us take his picture - so thanks Mr Typical London Cabbie."

Anyway I found out that tonight is Cab Driver Night at the London Transport Museum. it doesn't mean that the place will be filled with taxi drivers, or that they'll take you to London Transport Museum for free. What it does mean is the premier of Zimena Percival's BBC Arena documentary film about the lives of five extraordinary cabbies.

Their: "experience spans 70 years on the unforgiving streets of the capital." and "Arena: Cab Driver goes well beyond the average ten minute journey to unearth the soul of the London cab driver."

If you're thinking that Zimena's name sounds familiar it's because she also produced and directed BBC Arena's Tube Night in April 2007.


Part of her film featured me looking like a idiot and "quirkily" re-counting Going Underground's Tube Rules and more seriously talking about my experiences of the 7th July 2005 terrorist attacks on our transport system.

Considering the things Zimena can get people to do for her films and the sorts of people she finds, I'm sure that Cab Driver will be fascinating. There will be a question and answer session with Zimena and star of the documentary, Len Fox, after the film. I'm going along tonight with L J Rich and we also have a a pair of spare tickets - so if you want them - please email me with your name, I'll leave them on the door for you. First come first served.

Otherwise it starts at 19.00 and finishes at 20.30. The tickets are only £7.50 (and include free entry to the Museum galleries from 17.00). Tickets should be pre-booked on 020 7565 7298 and full details are here.

Update - I reviewed the Cab Driver BBC4 documentary at the London Transport Museum here.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, July 18, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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What's going to happen to Tube Buskers?

Last Friday I was on my way to the Social Media Café (Tuttle Club) and just coming up to the escalators at Leicester Square I heard the simply haunting sound of Abba's Money, Money, Money. You don't normally think of that song as "haunting" but it was being sung by the busker Hadar the winner of Capital FM & the londonpaper's search to find the King or Queen of the London Underground. Well King or Queen in busking terms.






I was amazed that she was still doing busking after winning the prize. Just found her video on YouTube of "Queen of the Underground" - see above. She's had some airplay on the radio with that song, after winning and there she was, with only a handful of coins in her guitar case. I gave her two quid and a thumbs up.

She has an absolutely fantastic voice and is equally on a par with Katie Melua, Norah Jones and any other mournful female singer songwriter who's had success of late. As I travelled up the escalator, the much slower than normal tempo of the Abba song remained with me.

As luck would have it - Lloyd Davis who started the Tuttle Club was still there when I arrived and he's a Tube busker too. I asked him why she hadn't got a record deal. He shrugged and said it was no surprise as he felt that the whole competition was more of a database exercise for the sponsors than anything else. It seems hard to get "discovered" by a record label if you're a busker, even if you win a major competition.

Unfortunately this seems like it'll be harder still as Lloyd reported yesterday that there was some uncertainly over the future of the official busking operation. London Underground are taking the management of licensed busking in-house after sponsorship dried up.

He wrote: "No new sponsor has been found to replace Capital/The London Paper - the sponsorship package of £1m+ has funded the administration of the scheme by Automatic Management who ran the audition/vetting process, employed Busking Site Managers (BSMs) to visit the various pitches regularly and ensure all is well, and managed the telephone and internet booking process.

The contract with Automatic seems to have been terminated with very short notice - while we all like to have a moan about how things have been run, they’re a good bunch of people and I hate to see the BSMs especially out of a job.

The internet booking system is to be discontinued and all bookings will now happen over the phone and rosters will effectively be fixed by 2pm the previous day as that's when they'll be faxed (yes faxed) to Station Supervisors."

This seems pretty antiquated and Lloyd thinks it will be a "recipe for double-booking disputes on the one hand and pitches needlessly going empty on the other".

But what if they never find a sponsor, does that mean that we'll lose official buskers altogether? Since they became official it had really cut down the number of unofficial buskers on carriages, who are generally pretty annoying as there's no escape from them.

I'm still amazed that a record company or another radio station hasn't jumped on a sponsorship package for the buskers. Some labels were toying with paying buskers to play specific songs a few years ago and although that wouldn't have to happen, surely they must get some benefit from the millions of people who pass by a busker each day.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, July 17, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Looking & Keeping Cool on the Tube

It's getting pretty hot again in London. But because there's also been a lot of rain, there's that real dilemma of what to wear. On the London Underground you'll see a number of people in shorts, mini skirts, T-shirts, flip flops and sandals and an equal number wearing tights, cardigans, fleeces and boots.

Here's two approaches to looking cool on the Tube that I spotted in the last couple of days on the Northern Line. One I think looks really cool and is practical. The other ... well ... err ... isn't.




If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know what I think about people who wear their sunglasses inside the Tube, specially when they're trying to read newspapers at the same time. And yes, I've heard all the comments about "well perhaps they've got eye problems" etc etc. Perhaps the guy above did. He got off at Old Street so could have been going to Moorfields Eye Hospital. However, they just don't look quite like prescription sun glasses to me. I'd put money on his final destination being more like Hoxton (home of trendy new media types) than Hospital.


Top marks to "fan girl" though and I love the way her fan colour co-ordinates perfectly with her tights. Very cool! Much more cool than the platform exit of Old Street Tube station which decided it was cold enough to not switch on the comedic giant fans. Sadly that decision was wrong.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Oyster Card Failure recovery

Looks like things are getting back to normal after the Oyster card failure on Saturday morning, where, depending on which newspaper you read, anything from 40,000 to 100,000 passengers had their cards corrupted and travelling on the London Underground on Monday would have resulted in a big FAIL for their cards. Many other travellers benefited from free travel as the gates on the Tube were left open & buses let people on free for most of the day.




Although perhaps this time the Tube Fail Whale picture above should have had Oysters at the bottom of the sea, with Mike Brown, Transport for London's Chief Operating Officer trying to lift them up.


Thanks to The Ticket Collector who sent me an email with a "leaked statement" from ATOC (Association of Train Operating Companies) telling staff what to do in each circumstance of failure and how to issue refunds.

Personally I can't get that excited about the statement as it doesn't really add much to what people already know about what to do if their cards didn't work on Monday.

There's no comment at all about the rarity of this problem happening. Nothing about what caused it in the first place. Also TfL aren't commenting on the suggestion that it was all caused by a disgruntled member of staff. So I guess we'll never really know what happened and we should count ourselves lucky that it didn't happen on a weekday, when the problem would have hit hundreds of thousands more commuters.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Londonist plug Flickr London Transport Museum Scavenger Hunt

Hazel from Team Dagenham who's also co-editor of Londonist gave the recent Flickr LT Museum Scavenger Hunt a bit of a plug here.

I really love this shot of their team with the living statute


Don't forget to vote for your favourite team (Bank possibly) and best photo.

Thanks.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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London Transport Museum Scavenger Hunt - Vote for Team Bank

On July 6th about 26 Flickr photographers including me went on a photographic scavenger hunt hosted by the London Transport Museum and kindly sponsored by Qype. We sped around Covent Garden and the surrounding area north of the river to gather the answers to cryptic clues as part of the London Festival of Architecture.


There were eleven clues and four challenges. Our team were victorious, OK we weren't.

We certainly weren't the first team back. We were the last. We certainly didn't get most right. Don't think we got most wrong either. But we had a laugh, and we need your votes as it's not over till it's over. If you want to see what we did & photographed pop along to this page.

So now we, the members of Team Bank will give you our eternal thanks, love and kisses if you vote for us. Please.

Four other teams took part, but we won't mention them. Well, you can look at them if you like, but not for too long!

There's also a page where some of the photographers have submitted photos for best picture of the day and you can vote for them here. The winner gets an iPod Shuffle.

Thanks from me, imajes, the Londoneer, Bloo Phoenix, Archie & Lori Smith. TEAM BANK!

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Bride & Groom Travel to Wedding by Tube

One happy couple clearly didn't let Saturday morning's Oyster card problems get in their way, as in full white wedding gear they got on the London Underground to get to their wedding. They also took the whole bridal party along with them from Dollis Hill to Baker Street Tube station. They then walked to their ceremony at the registry office in Marylebone.

The bride Stefanie Schmiedel who wasn't an anorak or Tube fan, said 'It is important for both of us to have an environmentally friendly wedding. I have been encouraging my relatives to travel over from Germany by Eurostar or by coach, as opposed to flying the short distance.'

Her dress was made from reusable material, her engagement ring was second-hand and the menus and order of service were all printed on recycled paper. The catering at their reception used local produce and the wedding cake was organic.

Her husband Robert Gray added: "We didn't feel that we needed a stretch limo to get to their register office when we have got an Oyster card and the Tube"


The couple are members of Brent Friends of the Earth.

Penny Hazell, Jubilee line General Manager, said: 'We're delighted that this bride and groom have chosen to go to their wedding by Tube. Public transport is a sustainable way to travel around the Capital.

'London Underground is not only convenient for commuters and tourists but also for people on their way to a very special event like a wedding. We wish them all the best.'

Many thanks to Katie from Bridalwave for letting me know about this.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Monday, July 14, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Good News for Early Birds Oyster system down

Apparently the Oyster system is down in London right now which means that all the gates on the London Underground are currently open and bus drivers can't take fares either.


I've heard that it'll take a couple of hours to put right so that means by 11ish or 12 noon today it will be up and running normally again.

So if you're an early bird and need to get anywhere, if I were you I wouldn't be reading this much longer & would get out and about on the Tube and buses while it lasts!

UPDATE - 11am It's working again but some gates are still open and buses appear to be taking a little longer to get back to normal. Here's the statement from Transport for London:

"Due to a technical problem with the Oyster card computer system, card readers across the network were not accepting cards from around 5.30am until 10.30am on Saturday 12 July.

The problem has been rectified and cards are now being accepted across London Underground, DLR, London Overground and on those First Great Western, First Capital Connect and CTC that accept Oyster. A number of buses may still be affected but all passengers are being accepted to travel.

All passengers who incur a maximum fare on Saturday 12 July will be given an automatic refund on Tuesday. They do not need to take any action.

We are investigating the cause of the problem, will ensure that any necessary refunds are honoured and apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience caused this morning."


UPDATE - Sunday 13th July - Just had an interesting update in the comments as it appears things might not be as rosy as the TfL statement above makes out:

"Anyone who touched in or out yesterday morning has probably had their Oyster card disabled (code 30) and will need to change their Oyster card at a ticket office using the failed Oyster card procedure. If it is a student, child card etc, then they will need to contact Oyster for a replacement. Even our staff have had their passes disabled. Yesterday by 22:30 my station had changed nearly 600 oyster cards. We normally change about 5 a day."

Have fun on Monday!

UPDATE Monday 14th July - Just heard on the radio that 40,000 people tried to use their Oyster cards on Saturday morning and if you were one of them you'll need to get it replaced. So pleased I didn't use mine at all on Saturday.

Here's some of the official word from TfL following from their previous statement

"A number of cards used on London Underground before 9.30am yesterday may not be working as a result of yesterday's technical problem. Customers who topped up their cards at Oyster Ticket Stops during the day may also have been affected. Customers whose cards are not working are advised to go to their nearest London Underground ticket office where they will be able to exchange their card for a replacement.

A small number of Freedom Pass and Young Persons Oyster card holders may also have been affected. They will be required to apply for replacement cards through their relevant local authority and through the young persons travel card helpline respectively. Our staff will be instructed to allow these card holders to continue to travel whilst replacements are issued.

We are investigating the cause of the problem and apologise to our passengers for the inconvenience caused. "

Reports are that 40,000 to 100,000 people had corrupted Oyster cards.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Saturday, July 12, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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From slow Tubes to no Tubes

The only advantage of having your house back onto a London Underground Line means that you can tell whether your line is working well or not. The District Line between Richmond and Turnham Green was running really slowly for most of the morning and I just heard on the radio that it wasn't running at all now.


This is the view from my study window where I'm currently typing this post. So I can usually tell whether the radio reports or the TfL updates are right or wrong.

The line not running is great news for Bolli as he sometimes sits on the wall at the back of my garden. The shot below is also from this morning.


He's not quite as brave as he looks from this photo, now that you've seen how close the Tube runs. As the minute he hears the Tube he leaps from the wall and runs indoors. He's just about OK now sitting in the garden when the trains go by but if they go by on the near-side to my wall he'll still leg it indoors.


This is his "train look" where his ears go slightly back and he crouches getting ready to make a quick getaway. More Bolli pictures in this morning's garden set here.


Ah there's a rumble, I've just looked up and the line's running again. It's slow but at least it's working. Bad news for Bolli, good news for me as I'm just off out.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, July 11, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Words about the London Underground - Wordle

I've seen a number of people using Wordle which is a gloriously wonderful way of displaying words from your blog, thoughts in your head or any piece of text you like really. I think I saw it first on Russell Davies's stuff for Interesting08. Here's what happened when I put in the RSS feed from this blog to make my Wordle


You can randomise it, make it in different colours, change the orientation of the font, use some lovely fonts with great font names like Grilled Cheese BTN, Sexsmith, Silentina Movie and Berylium - I used Coolvetica.

It will definitely be on my next set of MOO cards - which I'm going large with. And thanks to the MOO blog for giving me that idea. If you add your Wordle to the gallery you can also make a nice little icon for your blog and I've added it to the stuff on the right.

I actually thought "delays" and "signal failure" would feature in it more, but as it's picking up what I've been writing about most recently rather than over the entire blog, I suppose that's why it's come out the way it has. I love it!

UPDATE - Finally got round to ordering my MOO Business Cards




I love them!

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Friday, July 11, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Stillness in King's Cross Rush

Over 70 million people pass through King's Cross Station each year making it the third busiest station on the London Underground. I'm one of the people who passes through it each day and you do see all of human life there.

Yesterday, for example in the morning I saw an old guy in a suit with a bowler hat and regulation British brolly slowly making his way towards the escalator amongst hoodies, luggage and general rush hour rush


Coming home late tonight there were a couple of police people questioning a young down and out woman who was sat on the floor and not going anywhere.


Two people moving slowly or not moving at all and the millions pass through King's Cross speeding along to their destinations. I'm the same, I was in a rush when I took the photos above, hence the blurriness - coupled with the mad rush there.

But there's something about that station that makes you rush. Maybe because it's the ultimate interchange on the Tube. The station that has the most London Underground lines passing through it. That makes it less of a destination and more of a place to get in and out of as quickly as possible.

Passenger numbers will definitely be well over 70 million now that the Channel Tunnel Rail Link has been completed. The redevelopment of the whole area will make it busier still and the slow or non moving people will appear even more lost.

If you change at King's Cross, what do you think? Or don't you think and see it just as a place where you change trains?

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, July 10, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Rain on the Tube

Enough rain now. K Thx Bai


I'm just waiting for the closures on the London Underground now due to flooding.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, July 10, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Portable Bikes - which are cooler?

Some of you may have seen an ad on the London Underground for Ridgeback bikes as the "cool way to get to work". However some people still have to get their bikes on the Tube and portable options seem to be getting more popular, as not all Tube stations let you carry full sized bicycles, particularly not in the rush hour.


I've seen a lot of portable bikes over the last few weeks, but which do you think are actually cooler?

Is it the classic fold away Brompton?


Or this Nathan Barleyesque scooter?


Is the retro Micro Scooter back in style or is the Brompton still king?

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 09, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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Tube Map for the Disabled developed by Brain op survivor

A 24 year old designer who was left with learning difficulties after a brain operation is helping TfL to design a London Underground map specifically for disabled people.

Byron Konizi, found it hard to travel in London using public transport and called the London Mayor's office in his frustration with the current Tube map.

Byron from Chingford, Essex said: "I spoke to a man called David Morris and I was shocked to discover he was disabled from the waist down and uses a wheelchair to get around.

"He is an absolute angel and arranged for me to attend a course in Cambridge to find out more about my condition,"

The Guardian - Waltham Forest report that: "The new map will alert passengers as to whether they can change trains without using stairs or escalators, whether they cannot change trains without using stairs or escalators, whether passengers can change trains in a certain direction and if step-free access is available."


Byron added: "The map includes a list of bus routes in case disabled people want to travel to a place which doesn't have an Underground station.

"For example, if they want to continue journeys from Walthamstow Central to Chingford, the map will include information about the 212 bus route."

A TfL spokesperson said: "We are working with disabled people to revise our current information products and we will be launching them later this year."




Let's hope that TfL also find time to update their "Large Print Tube Map" which (at time of writing) has no news about Tower Gateway's closure on it and one would still believe you could change onto the Central Line from Shepherd's Bush.

Many thanks to James B for sending me the link to this story.

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Wednesday, July 09, 2008 Permalink COMMENT HERE
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