Newsuk newslondonlondon underground

London Underground Records Busiest Day In History, So We Offer Some Alternatives

These Tube Numbers Prove We've Finally Reached Peak London
Sarah Ann Harris
|
Open Image Modal
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 08: Commuters queuing for tube trains at Green Park Tube Station ahead of the tube strike in evening rush hour of July 8, 2015 in London, England. The strike will be a 27-hour stoppage by about 20,000 Tube staff to shut down the entire London Underground network. (Photo by Tolga Akmen/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

'Peak London' appears to have been reached, after Transport for London announced that the Tube recently broke its record for the most passengers using the system in one day.

Some 4.735 million people used the London Underground on 9 October, breaking the previous record of 4.734 million, recorded last November, according to the Evening Standard.

Official figures have also revealed that the total number of journeys by Tube have risen by a third since 2001.

With such high numbers, overcrowding and cramped Underground carriages are now commonplace on the network.

So The Huffington Post UK has some suggestions for avoiding the crush…

Alternatives To The Tube
Walk(01 of07)
Open Image Modal
Earlier this week TfL released their official 'Walk the Tube' map. It shows how long it will take the average person to walk between Tube stations.

Fresh air is good for you and you could even burn some calories (if that's your sort of thing). (credit:Transport for London)
Emirates Air Line(02 of07)
Open Image Modal
No one EVER uses it, so you'll have no problem finding a seat.

This will take you form the 'Emirates Greenwich Peninsula' in North Greenwich to the 'Emirates Royal Docks' - not exactly a mainstream route. But hey, you'll get a lovely view at the same time, not like on those boring dark underground trains. (credit:Matthew Lloyd via Getty Images)
Hoverboard(03 of07)
Open Image Modal
It's like walking but faster. And - for those of us who are more challenged when it comes to balance - more difficult.

Yes, you'll zip around (provided you don't knock any pedestrians over), but the downside is that it'll probably set you back at least around £300.

Bonus points for fancy dress. (credit:Vine/Mo Khan)
Duck Tours(04 of07)
Open Image Modal
If you can't decide whether you prefer travelling by road or river, commandeer one of these amphibious vehicles.

You may be scuppered, however, if you accidentally pick up on fill of tourists though. (credit:George Rose via Getty Images)
Horse And Cart(05 of07)
Open Image Modal
It was good enough in the old days and this way you don't have to worry about carrying heavy bags - just sling them on your cart!

Downsides, however, include having to get your hands on some horses, as well as housing and feeding them. (credit:Michael Stephens/PA Archive)
Bicycle(06 of07)
Open Image Modal
Join the lycra-clad masses and get your pedal on - it's good for you and you can avoid having to to get on those cramped Tube trains.

For extra swag, we recommend going old-school with a traditional penny farthing (helmet still required). (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Thames Clipper(07 of07)
Open Image Modal
If you're lucky enough to live on or near the Thames, you might have access to the Clipper.

Routes stretch all the way from Putney to Woolwich so if you're less of a landlubber, why not try getting from A to B by river? (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)

SEE ALSO:

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip