Launch of all-night Tube service postponed

The launch of the new all-night Tube service that is set to begin this september has been postponed.

On September 12, the Jubilee, Victoria and most of the Piccadilly, Central and Northern lines were expected to have the 24-hour weekend service up-and-running.

Two 24-hour Tube strikes have already taken place in July and August due to drivers conflicting with London Underground (LU) over rotas and working conditions on the new service.

However, now LU has deferred the launch of the all-night service to give more time to hold talks with unions to agree terms on pay and conditions.

Although no new launch date has been announced, LU still want to get the all-night service running by autumn.

This announcement follows the news that two 24-hour Tube strikes which were expected to take place this week have been called off after progress was made during discussions between unions and LU managers.

Nick Brown, LU managing director, said: “Further to the progress made in recent days with the trade unions and the suspension of strike action, we believe we are not far from an agreement that protects the work-life balance of our employees and is affordable, sustainable and fair.

“As such, we have decided to defer the introduction of the night Tube to allow more time for those talks to conclude. Our objective is to reach an agreement that ends this dispute and delivers the night Tube for Londoners this autumn.”

Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers’ union ASLEF, added: “We welcome this decision by London Underground, which gives us all the time and space to negotiate properly on the introduction of the Night Tube in the capital.

“ASLEF believes that a world-class capital city like London needs a 24-hour Tube service. But not at the expense of the work/life balance of our members. It has to be done in a way that works for London Underground, for passengers, and also for the drivers who deliver this service every day.”