After 150 Years of Service, What's the Prognosis for London's Tube?

Nearing the anniversary of the day London's first underground train made the three-and-a-half mile trip from Paddington to Farringdon, Hill calls on Londoners to stop their whining about the Tube, and to instead be thankful that after 150 years, the Underground -- delays, upgrades and all -- is still in service. He takes a look back at its history, highlighting low points of “atrophy of decline”, and high points, such as the creation of the Greater London Council (GLC), in the mid-twentieth century, which invested in much-needed improvements in the face of growing car ownership. He also cites significant moments during the late 20^th century, including the abolition of the GLC, the tragic Kings Cross fire, and the recession of the 1990s, which resulted in funding and organizational overhauls.

After a decade of reinvestment, upgrade completions [PDF] and continued expansion, Hill is optimistic that “the future of the London Underground looks brighter than at any time since the suburban expansion of the 1930s.” He also warns, however, that as London continues to grow, “bigger and bolder solutions to the capital's transport problems are needed.” Hill points out that future upgrades and enhancements are dependent upon fare increases, which is unwelcome news to London's working classes, and questions the connection between the selection of routes and funding priorities and real estate speculation.

In light of this, Hill asks, “Is the Tube to become complicit in the growth and "regeneration" of London into a place increasingly tailored to the needs of the very affluent?” He concludes by inviting thoughts and insights on “viable alternatives” to this scenario, which several commenters have taken him up on.