What’s the London underground like at the mo?

What’s the London underground like at the mo?

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johnpsanderson

Original Poster:

494 posts

199 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
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Next week we need to take our son to GOSH. Previously we’ve always driven to the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford and hopped on the ‘red’ line. Last time we went was pre-COVID and, having been fairly well isolated from people for 15mths, we’re not too excited about the idea of being in a packed tube carriage again.

But that said, all the commuters I know haven’t been near the office for ages. What’s the tube like at peak times these days?

Benrad

650 posts

148 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
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I went with my 2 yo and 6mo a couple of weeks ago. We avoided the morning rush hour but did get the central one stop to Stratford in the afternoon rush hour. It wasn't like it normally is at that time, but there wasn't a huge amount of space either. Maybe 60% of normal at that time I'd say

People manager to make space for our huge double buggy, put it that way!

dontlookdown

1,684 posts

92 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
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It is getting busier again, as in London in general. Not up to its old crammwd state yet even in peak hours, though.

It varies quite a lot from line to line. I don't use the Centrlal line so can't help much on your specific route.

I would do it without any special concern. But I don't have an ill child to worry about. I can quite see why you might not want to in the circs.

ClaphamGT3

11,269 posts

242 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
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The tube network is currently running at 50-55% of pre-Covid passenger numbers on week-days. They still experience a demand spike in morning 'rush hour' (06.30 - 08.30) but are still not reaching 100% capacity even then. Week-ends are running at 60-65% pre Covid passenger numbers and last Sunday reached just over 70% (highest % ridership on the network since Mar 2020).

Stations and trains are regularly cleaned throughout the day with hospital grade disinfectants and mask wearing is enforced and fairly universal.

I was on the Victoria Line today at 10.30 and again at 14.30 (Zone 1) and social distancing was possible in the stations and on the trains

Due to the weather, its hot and masks are not particularly comfortable but its a perfectly safe experience

ETA, the newly introduced TfL Go app is really good for journey planning based on real-time data;

https://tfl.gov.uk/maps_/tfl-go

Edited by ClaphamGT3 on Tuesday 15th June 19:30

johnpsanderson

Original Poster:

494 posts

199 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
quotequote all
Cheers all. Helpful info. My son is 4 and although he has to go to GOSH periodically, he isn’t “ill” as such. It’s more the fact we, as a family, have not really been in anything like that sort of environment for over two years now, and it would be a bit stressful if it were like how ‘normal’ 7.30am Central Line used to be!

I think we‘ll chance it, as the next best plan I can think of is to drive all the way down to Regents Park then walk in a mile and a half with him on my shoulders, which would not be great either….

LeoSayer

7,299 posts

243 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
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I used the Central Line a few times in rush hour and at weekends over the past few weeks and am back on tomorrow.

On a scale of 1-10 when 1 is just me and 10 is rammed then the worst I have seen is a 5 at any point in the journey - so all seats taken but enough distance between people.

Coming from Stratford heading east last Sunday afternoon we had to wait 8 minutes for a train and even then we easily got a seat.

Don't expect everyone to be masked up though.

elise2000

1,462 posts

218 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
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Mainly cylindrical.

simonrockman

6,843 posts

254 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
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Today there were enough empty seats to mostly sit with a vacant one between any two people.

hoegaardenruls

1,218 posts

131 months

Tuesday 15th June 2021
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LeoSayer said:
I used the Central Line a few times in rush hour and at weekends over the past few weeks and am back on tomorrow.

On a scale of 1-10 when 1 is just me and 10 is rammed then the worst I have seen is a 5 at any point in the journey - so all seats taken but enough distance between people.

Coming from Stratford heading east last Sunday afternoon we had to wait 8 minutes for a train and even then we easily got a seat.

Don't expect everyone to be masked up though.
Pretty much my experience when I had to use the Central Line a couple of weeks ago - between Shepherds Bush and Ealing at 5:30-6pm was between 5-6 on that scale, although the overground I'd been on would be a 7-8.

Ice_blue_tvr

3,101 posts

163 months

Wednesday 16th June 2021
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I'm using central and tfl rail daily.. Its hit and miss.. Some days trains are near empty, but mostly they are to the point most/every seat is full.. Contrary to above, I rarely get a seat at Stratford when I arrive at 7.30. A couple times the central line has been jam packed even when standing.

A little while back people were sitting in every other seat only, but not so much any more.. You still get the odd person leaving their bag in the seat to create distance.

Majority are still mask wearing, lots have now stopped altogether but there's a massive proportion of people wearing them under there noses or over their chins only, which I still don't understand as they don't actually raise them when staff are about so may as well not wear them and no one really bat's an eyelid.

Basically, don't be alarmed at people not keeping their distance. It's nearly back to normal (for good or for bad!)

omniflow

2,547 posts

150 months

Wednesday 16th June 2021
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johnpsanderson said:
Cheers all. Helpful info. My son is 4 and although he has to go to GOSH periodically, he isn’t “ill” as such. It’s more the fact we, as a family, have not really been in anything like that sort of environment for over two years now, and it would be a bit stressful if it were like how ‘normal’ 7.30am Central Line used to be!

I think we‘ll chance it, as the next best plan I can think of is to drive all the way down to Regents Park then walk in a mile and a half with him on my shoulders, which would not be great either….
We used to have to go there every 2nd Tuesday. Train was fine until my daughter broke her leg. We drove in for about 2 months. There's a car park pretty close by that's not hideously expensive - it's under the hotel on the corner near Bedford Square. There's also one under the Waitrose in the Brunswick Centre. I also believe that the hospital do give out passes for nearby bays / meters. Driving all the way there wasn't actually that bad - but this was mostly over the school summer holidays.

rcspeirs

178 posts

213 months

Wednesday 16th June 2021
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Using the central line to Holborn is easily the fastest option from Stratford.
But if you're not comfortable with that, here are two alternatives, using 'big' trains rather than the narrow central line tube.
Option 1. Take the national rail service to Liverpool Street - loads of services, loads of space. Then get the Circle / Hammersmith line to Kings Cross St Pancras. These are 'national rail' size train with an open design and good air conditioning. Cost using oyster or contactless is the same as if you'd used the central line. It's a longer walk to the hospital than from Holborn, but not too bad.
Option 2. Use the High Speed line from the international station. Big trains, loads of space. Ridiculously quick into St Pancras but less frequent and costs more.

Hedgeman

661 posts

230 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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ClaphamGT3 said:
mask wearing is enforced and fairly universal.
This is absolutely not the case.

ettore

4,119 posts

251 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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Currently mainly full of drunk Scotsmen shouting.

Uncle John

4,271 posts

190 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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Was in the City yesterday morning rush hour(s) tube was about 70% full. Surprised me really.

Not under someones armpit but next to people if you know what I mean.

V8mate

45,899 posts

188 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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johnpsanderson said:
Cheers all. Helpful info. My son is 4 and although he has to go to GOSH periodically, he isn’t “ill” as such. It’s more the fact we, as a family, have not really been in anything like that sort of environment for over two years now, and it would be a bit stressful if it were like how ‘normal’ 7.30am Central Line used to be!

I think we‘ll chance it, as the next best plan I can think of is to drive all the way down to Regents Park then walk in a mile and a half with him on my shoulders, which would not be great either….
You could always use an Uber car from Stratford to GOSH.

LeoSayer

7,299 posts

243 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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Tuesdays and Thursdays seem to be the busiest days - when most are making plans to come into office.

LeoSayer

7,299 posts

243 months

Friday 18th June 2021
quotequote all
ettore said:
Currently mainly full of drunk Scotsmen shouting.
Yes someone just send me a video of someone in a kilt doing the worm on a tube train floor. I can't unsee that

ettore

4,119 posts

251 months

Friday 18th June 2021
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West End is a shambles - not a wholly pleasant atmosphere.

peter tdci

1,756 posts

149 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
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johnpsanderson said:
Cheers all. Helpful info. My son is 4 and although he has to go to GOSH periodically, he isn’t “ill” as such. It’s more the fact we, as a family, have not really been in anything like that sort of environment for over two years now, and it would be a bit stressful if it were like how ‘normal’ 7.30am Central Line used to be!

I think we‘ll chance it, as the next best plan I can think of is to drive all the way down to Regents Park then walk in a mile and a half with him on my shoulders, which would not be great either….
Another option (a bit more indirect) could be to get the London Overground from Stratford to Camden Road and then a bus or cab down to Russell Square (or GOSH itself). The train starts at Stratford so should be less busy than the Central Line.