Transport for London has announced that almost 70 million trips have been made on the Elizabeth line since it opened six months ago.
The £20 billion project was unveiled by the late Queen in one of her final engagements.
The three branches of the Elizabeth line – east, west and central – mean customers can travel into and through central London without changing at Paddington and Liverpool Street National Rail stations.
The Elizabeth line is dramatically improving transport links in London and the South East – journey times are being cut, capacity increased and accessibility transformed with spacious new stations and walk-through trains.
Tottenham Court Road has seen its passengers increase by 80 per cent, whilst Bond Street,which only opened in October due to construction and fit-out delays, has seen a 25 per cent uplift.
However, disruption is expected today due to RMT industrial action, which will affect services to and from Heathrow, Paddington and Reading.
Read more
Around 600,000 journeys are made on the line each day. The most popular journeys all involve Tottenham Court Road station.
Canary Wharf, Paddington and Stratford are the most popular destinations for people leaving the West End.
The Elizabeth line project has created more than 55,000 jobs and is expected to generate £42 billion for the entire UK economy.
TfL commissioner Andy Lord said: “I am extremely proud that the Elizabeth line has not only become part and parcel of travelling in London and the South East over the past six months, but that it is also showing how sustainable and affordable transport can drive the city’s economic growth and recovery. “
“We look forward to welcoming many more customers onboard as they experience and enjoy the very best of what the capital has to offer as the festive season begins.”
Ros Morgan, chief executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “The opening of Bond Street station couldn’t have come at a better time, ahead of the busy festive period.”
The line’s full timetable will be implemented next May, with 24 trains per hour between Paddington and Whitechapel during peak periods.
