The Tube
The underground rail network - known as The Tube
- consists of nearly 300 stations and transports
several million passengers every day. Each station
is clearly marked with the well-known symbol
(at right).
The Tube is fairly user-friendly, albeit crowded
at rush hour and during summer. Once the most extensive
and modern metro system in the world, the Tube has
suffered from chronic under-funding in recent decades,
and is a favourite topic of discontent amongst commuters.
Despite this, services are frequent and the safety
record excellent.
Given the size of the network, it is helpful to have
a wallet-sized map of The Tube to help you get your
bearings. These can be downloaded from www.thetube.com
for personal use.
The best Tube tickets to buy are almost invariably
Travelcards. Travelcards can be bought for
one day, one week, or one month, and allow unlimited
transport on train and bus services within the zones
specified. Travelcards can be bought at train and
Tube stations (at the ticket counter or from the automated
machines), at newsagents who display a Pass Agent
sign, or online at www.ticket-online.co.uk.
Note that for weekly and monthly travelcards you will
need to supply a passport-sized photo of yourself
at the time of purchase. One day travelcards cannot
be used before 9.30am.
For travel information for The Tube, contact www.thetube.com.
|
