Transport for LondonVictoria line
Victoria line manager Rob Smith
I can now, at last, tell you that you have a better Victoria line - the 'upgrade' is finally finished.
We're now running more trains for you than ever before, and they run faster thanks to the state-of-the art signalling kit we've put in.
Your line is now one of the most advanced metro systems in the world.
Of course, there'll be the odd bit of maintenance, but weekend closures will be rare.
What's the Tube Improvement Plan?
What's going on?
If you travel on the Victoria line, one of the most obvious changes you'll have noticed is that all trains are now new. We have also installed a state-of-the-art signalling system allowing trains to run faster and more frequently.
More trains, more often
We've completed our upgrade of the Victoria line's signalling system. This replaces the original system dated back to when the line opened in 1968.
We know signalling is not something you necessarily take notice of, but combined with our new trains, which we can run more quickly and closer together, it means more room or capacity on the line.
That's good news because as London continues to grow, so will the number of Victoria line passengers.
Additional trains from January 2013
Even better news is that we're now able to run even more trains - up to 33 trains an hour - meaning trains are less than two minutes apart at peak times. This is the highest ever frequency on any London Underground line. For the Victoria line it allows us to carry about 10,000 more passengers an hour overall.
Comfortable ride
If you've travelled on our new trains, you'll have noticed they are bigger and more comfortable with wider aisles and doors, and higher ceilings.
They also have dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and security features like CCTV in every carriage and push-button emergency alarms connecting directly to the driver.
In addition, the new trains are equipped with regenerative braking technology, which means energy is returned to the rails to be used by other trains, rather than adding to heat in the tunnels.
More accessible
Platform humps have now been installed at all stations on the Victoria line (except Pimlico). These provide level access with the trains, meaning easier journeys for customers with mobility impairments, luggage or pushchairs.
Green Park station
In July 2012, the Green Park station upgrade was completed.
Benefits include step-free access to all platforms and lines, and level access to trains on all three lines. There is also a new ramped walkway into the park and we've enlarged the entrance on Piccadilly.
- Learn more about the Green Park station upgrade
King's Cross St. Pancras
In 2010, we completed a massive redevelopment of King's Cross St. Pancras that quadrupled the size of this important station.
It already sees more passengers a year than Heathrow Airport with more than 100,000 people passing through the station at peak times every day.
King's Cross St. Pancras is now modern and spacious, has step-free access to all lines, and is less congested thanks to new ways to enter and exit the station.
Victoria station
If you've been to Victoria station lately, you may have noticed that it's busier than usual as we're doing a great deal of work at the station.
It's a really exciting project that'll mean fewer delays, less congestion, step-free access and quicker journeys in and out of the station.
There's a lot to be done before we finish work in 2018, so please bear with us.
We'll try to keep disruptions to a minimum.
When will the work be finished?
Key improvements
- New trains
- Capacity increased by 21%
- More frequent trains
- Faster journeys
- Major station upgrades
- See also
- About London Underground
- Crossrail
Check if your Tube line is affected by improvement works
