Air-conditioned Trains Start Running On The Circle Line


As the lines Tube trains extend to seven carriages

New fully walk-through Tube trains, which allow better access for customers, are being rolled out on the Circle line from today as part of the introduction of 53 new trains on both the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines.

In addition to air-conditioning, the new trains will have automated visual displays and station announcements, as well as CCTV, dedicated wheelchair areas, wider doors and walkways and lower level, easier to reach passenger alarms.

With seven carriages the new trains are longer than previous rolling stock on the Hammersmith & City and Circle lines, providing 17 per cent extra capacity and helping to relieve pressure on busy parts of the Tube network.

Phil Hufton, LU’s Chief Operating Officer, said:
“As part of our continued drive to improve our passengers’ experience of travelling on the Tube we’re delighted to be rolling out these new air-conditioned, high-specification trains. Customers travelling on the Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines are already enjoying the benefits that these longer trains provide and so we’re really pleased that they’re also being extended to our Circle Line customers.”

For residents along the Wimbledon District Line there is light at the end of the tunnel as in 2014 80 District line trains will be "rolled out early next year". The plan is for 24% more capacity on the District line by providing space for an extra 10,000 passengers an hour - increasing the line’s capacity from 40,000 to 50,000 passengers an hour.

Richard Tracey Assembly Member forWandsworth & Merton welcomed the announcement:
" This is a major step forward. Next stage is air conditioned District Line trains for Putney and Wimbledon, coming soon"

By the end of 2016 there will be a total of 191 walk through air conditioned trains on 40 per cent of the Tube network – running on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.

September 4, 2013