Inspiro-ing the Piccadilly Line – a look at TfL’s new trains
Transport for London (TfL) and Siemens Mobility have unveiled the detailed design of the new generation Tube trains for the Piccadilly line, which will soon be in production to replace the existing 1970s fleet. 94 new Siemens Inspiro ‘2024 Stock’ trains are due for delivery starting in 2025. The state-of-the-art Tube trains will significantly improve […]
The AOI and London Transport Museum’s Prize for Illustration deadline has been extended!
Illustrators rejoice! The AOI and London Transport Museum’s prize for illustration deadline is now Tuesday 31 July. Submissions are now being accepted for the Poster Prize for Illustration 2019, in partnership with London Transport Museum, until the end of the day on Tuesday 31 July. This year’s theme, as illustrated in the promo for the competition […]
A hundred years of Johnston – the iconic typeface of the London Underground
Paul Wilson, University of Leeds It’s been 100 years since the London Underground’s distinctive typeface made its first appearance. Alongside the unmistakable roundel, Johnston has helped to create some of the most recognisable signage in the world: a design which screams “London!”, no matter which language you speak. It has guided Londoners and visitors alike […]
Check out these hand drawn maps of London by illustrator Jenni Sparks
Are you a fan of beautiful maps and intricate illustration? You’re gonna LOVE this. Illustrator and map-maker Jenni Sparks has created this beautifully detailed hand-drawn map of inner-city and Central London, complete with public transport picked out. Wonderfully isometric in design, Jenni’s map highlights the meandering paths of Tube and heavy rail lines, and has […]
11 months to go: first iconic Elizabeth Line roundels installed
With just 11 months to go until London’s newest rail line opens, the first iconic roundels have been seen at stations across the capital. One hundred and ten years on from the installation of the first roundel sign at St James’s Park Underground station, the latest version of Transport for London’s historic design has begun […]
In pictures: Buses of the #TubeStrike
The Tube was hit by yet another strike this week. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Londoners (well, not for those with at least a passing interest in buses, anyway). 150 extra buses on 40 routes were drafted in to help with the crowds of commuters displaced from the besieged London Underground. Routemasters and […]
Six things other cities can learn from Transport for London’s success
Nicole Badstuber, UCL Complaining about public transport might seem as English as moaning about the weather. And it isn’t very British to shout about success. So what follows might seem odd, but here goes: Transport for London leads the way as an effective transport authority. There, said it. And it does so by building popular […]
Govia wins Thameslink franchise
Govia has won the franchise to operate the TSGN (Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern) franchise from September. The Go-Ahead and Keolis joint venture fended off competition from both First Group and Stagecoach to secure the deal which will combine what is currently the First Capital Connect, Southern and the Gatwick Express franchises. In a press release, […]
Arriva goes ‘open access’ with GNER
Arriva has announced its application for permission to begin a new high-speed rail service between Edinburgh and London. The service, if approved, will begin in December 2016 and will connect Edinburgh with London King’s Cross via Newcastle in 3 hours 43 minutes – down from the current 4 hours 20 with franchise operator East Coast. […]
Bombardier wins £1bn Crossrail contract
Bombardier has won a £1bn contract to supply trains and a new depot for Crossrail. In a press release, Transport for London (TfL) and the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that the order for 65 trains would create 1,000 jobs and 100 apprenticeships at the firm, with the large majority at their plant in Derby. […]