With a full timetable now up and running, TfL’s Elizabeth Line Director HOWARD SMITH tells PHILIP SHERRATT what is next for London’s new railway
London’s Elizabeth Line continues to reach passenger usage milestones. The latest was on Thursday 6 July, when 701,000 passengers travelled, breaking the 700,000 milestone in a single day for the first time.
Detailed statistics on Elizabeth Line usage were reported to the final meeting of Transport for London’s Elizabeth Line Committee on 25 July (the committee has been wound down now the line is fully open). This reports that 150.7 million journeys were made during the first year of operation (May 2022 to May 2023) – below pre-pandemic forecasts but up on post-pandemic projections.
That the busiest day so far was a Thursday is not a surprise, boosted by the fact that particular week in July saw one million people attending concerts in the capital. Mondays are the quietest working day (around 500,000 passengers), with demand building through the middle of the week. Friday is less busy for commuting but stronger for leisure, while on Saturdays demand is only 6% lower than on Mondays. An average of 56% of Elizabeth Line journeys occur during weekday peak travel…
