Transport for London has announced that by 2015 it plans to implement 24-hour operation of the London Underground at weekends.
London is one of the most-visited cities in the world and Leicester Square alone receives over 225,000 visitors on an average Saturday night. The West End Commission’s 2013 Report recommended an overhaul of London’s nighttime transport arrangements to reflect the needs of patrons of the city’s Night Time Economy, as later operation will prevent flashpoints from developing.
Responding to the decision, for which the ALMR has campaigned for five years, ALMR Strategic Affairs Director, Kate Nicholls, said:
“We very much welcome today’s announcement that the tube will finally be brought into the 21st century and meet the needs of a modern, dynamic city, a vibrant late night economy and, most importantly, the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to enjoy it each Friday and Saturday night.
Customer and staff confidence to travel home
“This is something we have been campaigning for over the past 5 years and it will be a huge boost to pubs and bars in London when it is delivered. Customers coming in to go to the theatre or to shop will feel more comfortable staying for a drink or meal, confident that they can get home quickly and safely at the end of the night. We will finally have a modern transport system which meets the needs of a £1.5 billion industry.
“More importantly, later running of the tube will make it safer for our staff and customers to get home and reduce crime, disorder and nuisance by encouraging gradual dispersal. That will be the biggest benefit – the trade will no longer get the blame for flashpoints caused by an inadequate transport infrastructure.”