Latest news with #SebDance
Time Out
10-07-2025
- Time Out
More sections of the London Underground's Piccadilly, Northern and Victoria lines now have 4G and 5G coverage
London is slowly but surely making internet and signal blackouts on the tube a thing of the past. Over the past couple of years TfL has gradually been rolling out 4G and 5G coverage on the London Underground, with the Central, Northern, Jubilee, Piccadilly, Victoria and Bakerloo lines all now boasting sections with high-speed internet coverage. Today (July 10) TfL has announced that even more of the tube now has 4G and 5G, thanks to developments on the Piccadilly, Northern and Victoria lines. The latest roll-out, which is being installed with Boldyn Networks, has focused mostly on south London. On the Northern line, the tunnels between Balham and South Wimbledon now have data coverage, as do Kennington, Oval, Tooting Broadway and South Wimbledon stations. The line's Bank branch between Euston and Bank is receiving coverage, and riders of the black tube line now have service all the way from South Wimbledon to Stockwell. By the end of the summer the tunnels between Kennington and Morden will also be connected. On the Victoria, tunnels between Vauxhall and Pimlico now have high-speed internet, while King's Cross St Pancras and Green Park stations (both also on the Piccadilly) will soon get coverage. Tube tunnels between Green Park and Brixton are also getting 4G and 5G in the coming months. Recent developments in the roll-out of internet coverage on the tube follow the news at the end of last year that the entire Elizabeth line – including tunnels and stations – now has 4G. Commenting on the newly-covered stations, Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance said: 'The introduction of 4G and 5G along further stretches of the Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria line means even more Londoners will now be able to stay connected on the Underground, reading, streaming or catching up with loved ones. 'This is yet another step towards delivering the Mayor's commitment to rolling out 4G and 5G across the whole Tube network, building a better London for everyone.' Here's a map of all the London tube stations and tunnels that now have 4G and 5G coverage.
Time Out
07-07-2025
- General
- Time Out
New trains on London's Bakerloo line could arrive much sooner than expected
Brown line-riding Londoners, rejoice! The oldest trains on the London Underground could finally be replaced before the decade is up. At 53 years old, Bakerloo line trains have needed to retire for some time now. In 2024, Sadiq Khan said that they were 20 years past their use by date and deputy mayor for transport Seb Dance said that it was 'quite astonishing' they were even still working. London Centric reported that last week TfL boss Andy Lord said that the ordering of new Bakerloo line trains could start in the coming months, thanks to a new £2.2bn new capital renewals program by the central government. Those trains would be walk-through and air-conditioned with CCTV, like the new Piccadilly line trains that are currently being built (but which were recently delayed). However, Lord caveated that the trains still wouldn't come into service until the latter end of the decade. That's because there is a 'significant amount of infrastructure upgrade' needed on the line before the new trains can start running. That's about all the updates we have for now. Unfortunately there's still no solid date in the diary for when the Bakerloo line will finally offer 21st century tube travel. The news comes soon after a report revealed that the majority of Londoners support proposals for a Bakerloo line extension, which can only happen once the current outdated trains are replaced. You can read more about what that extension would look like here.
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
UK motorists warned as TfL's £18 plans unveiled for anyone driving in London
Plans to spike the London Congestion Charge to £18 per day has sparked outrage, with many branding the proposal 'day light robbery' - but TfL says such measures are necessary Brits could soon be stung with £18 fees for driving through central London - following controversial proposals to hike the Congestion Charge. Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled bold plans to increase the £15 daily fee for drivers in the Big Smoke by 20 per cent from January 2, 2026. The increase marks the first rise since 2020, when the fee cost just £11.50. In place from 7am-6pm Monday through Friday, and 12pm - 6pm on weekends and Bank Holidays, the charge aims to 'manage traffic and congestion in the heart of London' at the busiest times of day when road space is 'most constrained'. TfL states that congestion in the capital cost London £3.85 billion in 2024 alone - averaging out at £942 per driver. Its fee increase attempts to curb the additional 2,200 vehicles that would otherwise join the weekday traffic. TfL has also proposed that, from March 2027, and for new applicants only, the Residents' discount will be available only for electric vehicles. A public consultation on the changes started on May 27 and will end on August 4. Drivers who don't pay the charge within 48 hours will face a penalty of £180. However, this is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Motorists with electric cars (EVs) will receive a 25 per cent discount if they're registered for Auto Pay - while a 50 per cent discount will be offered for electric vans, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay. From March 4, 2030, these discounts will decrease to 25 per cent for electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay - and 12.5 per cent discount for electric cars registered for Auto Pay. TfL is also consulting on some proposed changes to the Mayor's road user charging guidance, which would allow the Congestion Charge to be increased each year in line with Tube fares, inflation plus 1 per cent or a lower amount. Drivers of older, more polluting vehicles are already subject to paying £12.50 to travel anything within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) which was expanding in 2023 to cover all of London's Borough. This means cars that don't meet the Ulez requirement will have to pay £30.50 a day to drive through central London. "The congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, but we must ensure it is fit for purpose," said Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport. "Sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year. "At the same time we must support Londoners and businesses to use greener and more sustainable travel. That's why I'm pleased we're proposing that substantial incentives remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles. We encourage everyone to have their say and respond to the public consultation." The proposals were also welcomed by environmental charities including Clean Cities Campaign and Possible. Sophie O'Connell, Senior policy adviser at the Green Alliance said: "It's great to see London continuing its leadership in encouraging the switch to cleaner vehicles through the proposed changes to the Clean Vehicle Discount. "With larger incentives for electric vans and delivery vehicles, which have further to go in decarbonising, these changes target the right areas. The new measures send a clear signal: driving a polluting vehicle through central London should not be cheaper than taking public transport, making the cleaner choice the obvious one while supporting both public health and the environment." However, the announcement has riled swathes of commuters - who have branded the proposed charges 'daylight robbery'. "Jeez, how to rinse every pound out of the ordinary working man," one person complained on X (formerly Twitter). Another scathed: "Another reason not to visit London anymore!" A third added: "Worked in London in the 80s and I wouldn't visit the capital now if you paid me," while a fourth dubbed the charge a 'pure money-making scam'.
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Sadiq Khan to scrap congestion charge discount for locals without electric cars
Sir Sadiq Khan has proposed a 20pc rise in London's congestion charge and plans to scrap a discount for people who live within the zone unless they drive an electric vehicle (EV). Transport for London (TfL), which is overseen by the Mayor, plans to raise the daily charge for driving in central London from £15 to £18 from January 2026. It will be the first increase since 2020, when the fee climbed from £11.50. TfL also plans to close the residents' discount scheme to new entrants unless they drive an EV. Currently, locals can qualify for a 90pc discount, a policy that has been in place since the congestion charge was introduced in 2003 by Ken Livingstone. But under the new plans, anyone who moves to a property within the zone from March 2027 will have to own an EV to avoid paying the full driving charge. TfL said the changes would 'encourage the uptake of electric vehicles and promote sustainable travel across the capital'. However, the plans may prove controversial given the relatively weak uptake of EVs in the UK. One in five cars sold in March were EVs but that was below government targets. At the current pace, it will take years for the market to switch to fully electric vehicles. TfL is also proposing to increase the congestion charge annually in line with public transport fares, which typically rise each year in line with inflation. It said there would be more than 2,200 extra cars on the roads unless the charge increased. Seb Dance, the deputy mayor for transport, said: 'We must support Londoners and businesses to use greener and more sustainable travel. That's why I'm pleased we're proposing that substantial incentives remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles.' However, Susan Hall, leader of the City Hall Conservative Group, said: 'The war on motorists is alive and kicking under the dreadful mayoralty of Sadiq Khan.' The changes come as TfL faces a budget shortfall of £23m this financial year, with Rachel Reeves's increase in National Insurance contributions putting pressure on the transport authority. The Department for Transport previously announced that TfL would receive an additional £500m in government funding this year. TfL's public consultation on the proposed changes will run until Aug 4. London has the most congested roads in Europe, a title it has held for four years in a row.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Drivers set to see Congestion Charge increased to £18 per day
Motorists are set to see the Congestion Charge increase to £18 per day under bold new plans. Drivers across London have been warned they could be forced to pay £18 daily in Congestion Charge costs under the new proposals from Labour Party Mayor Sadiq Khan. Under new proposals, the transport authority is looking to set the daily charge for travelling in the city centre to £18 from January 2026, up from its current £15 fee. Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said in a statement in relation to the consultation from the Department for Transport this week: "Keeping London moving by reducing congestion is vital for our city and for our economy. READ MORE: Drivers over 70 'not legally allowed to drive' after licence error READ MORE: DVLA sends out alert to anyone who passed their driving test before 2015 READ MORE Foreign Office issues 'important' warning for UK tourists 'who have health condition' "The Congestion Charge has been a huge success since its introduction, but we must ensure it is fit for purpose. Sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year." He explained that while improving air pollution in the city, TfL also aimed to support Londoners and businesses in using greener and more sustainable travel. "That's why I'm pleased we're proposing that substantial incentives remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles. We encourage everyone to have their say and respond to the public consultation," he added. Christina Calderato, TfL's Director of Strategy, explained that the Congestion Charge has been "hugely successful" in supporting the move to electric vehicles and increasing walking, cycling and the use of public transport. She added: "With these proposed changes, we want to make sure it continues to be effective in managing traffic and congestion in central London while providing ongoing support to those who need to drive in the zone to make the switch to an electric vehicle. "I would encourage people to respond to the consultation to help shape our plans."
