Temperatures could reach 33C in a bank holiday weekend heatwave
London is hot this weekend – and it will get hotter as the bank holiday wears on.
Unfortunately, it’ll be a considerably more uncomfortable journey than normal on the Tube as most lines don’t currently feature air conditioning.
Transport for London (TfL) has endeavoured to reduce temperatures somewhat through enlarged ventilation shafts, improved fans and mechanical chillers at the most crowded stations. Nevertheless, as most Londoners are aware, certain lines remain nearly intolerable during the summer months.
But which London Underground lines do benefit from air conditioning? And which other rail and transport services provide it?
Only a handful of Tube lines have air conditioning. These include:
Circle
Hammersmith & City
District
Metropolitan
The following public transport services also have cooling technology:
Overground
Trams
Elizabeth line
Which Tube lines don’t have air conditioning?
Central
Bakerloo
Jubilee
Victoria
Piccadilly
Waterloo & City
Northern
Why isn’t there air conditioning on all London Underground lines?
The London Underground’s lack of air conditioning stems from multiple factors, with its age being the most significant. The earliest tunnels were constructed in the 1800s, leaving insufficient space to install air conditioning systems.
This hasn’t stopped engineers from attempting to fix this. As far back as 1934, a single Northern line carriage was equipped with Frigidaire technology beneath the seats and floor, but the trial proved unsuccessful.
Another substantial challenge is that air conditioning units on trains would likely increase platform temperatures further, as the hot air requires venting. Constructing new ventilation shafts for the deepest Tube lines would prove extraordinarily costly, according to Engineering and Technology.
The good news is that additional air conditioning is coming, with the Piccadilly line set to become considerably cooler following a £2.9 billion upgrade. This new fleet will replace the current 86 trains and is anticipated to enter service by the end of 2025.
TfL is seeking Government funding to introduce new trains on the Bakerloo line by 2030, which would also feature air conditioning, alongside real-time information and faster journeys.
The Central line has already received solar reflective material on external train roofs and solar reducing films on windows to reduce solar heat entering the carriages.
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