Tube delays due to overcrowding are on a five-year high

Tube delays caused by overcrowding have reached a five-year high, new figures have revealed.

Figures obtained by Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson, show that there were 237 delays in 2014/15 because of overcrowding, compared with 153 in 2010.

In January, LondonLovesBusiness.com revealed figures on Tube delays due to overcrowding through a freedom of information request.

We found that Londoners have been delayed almost 900 times since 2010 because of overcrowding on the Tube.

The figures, that denote the number of incidents which have caused train delays of two minutes or more, showed that the Central Line saw the maximum number (158) of delays due to overcrowding since 2010.

The Jubilee Line saw 148 delays, and the Victoria Line saw 129 delays in total since 2010.

Overcrowding had caused Tube delays on average 169.4 times a year in this period.

Commenting on the latest figures Pidgeon said: “The mayor and TfL are constantly boasting about the record performance of the London Underground. However, there is an increasing problem of serious overcrowding for passengers on much of the Tube and this is only going to get worse.

“These figures were dragged out of the mayor and reveal that we cannot afford a day of complacency in tackling Tube delays and ensuring the Tube upgrades are funded.

“Improvements to the Tube are barely keeping up with the rising demand for travel created by London’s booming population and record numbers of tourists.

“Further upgrades to the Tube must continue, but we also need to think of more imaginative ways to manage demand and reduce overcrowding. A pedestrian and cycling bridge between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf would for example be useful in taking the pressure off the Jubilee Line. Lower ‘early bird’ fares could also provide an incentive for some people to travel at different times and help reduce rush hour demand on the Tube.”