The London Underground A.K.A. “The Tube”

Categories: Voyager;
Author:

London Underground AKA The Tube-6960

The London Underground. Locals fondly call it The Tube. It is a living and breathing being in itself where so much life happens.

Being considered the oldest rapid transit system in the world, you can expect that it will have a character on its own.

 

London Underground AKA The Tube-7003 London Underground AKA The Tube-6994

Some parts are new, and some parts are so old they date back to the 1860’s, and that is where The Tube gets its character, particularly its stations.

 

Some stations are at sub-surface, some are already over ground, and some can go really underground.

London Underground AKA The Tube-7084

 

London Underground AKA The Tube-11053620_873592975996061_5949900654155762223_n

London Underground AKA The Tube-6991

London Underground AKA The Tube-7192The charming thing about some tube stations is that it takes on some of the famous personalities or events that have built London to what is today, whether they are fictional or not. This one is in Baker Street. I think this is just elementary to those who know this famous sleuth.

 

Not only are the stations a point of observation, but also the people that ride them.

London Underground AKA The Tube-7253

Word of caution: In here there is an etiquette when climbing stairs or riding elevators. Know where the standing lane and walking lanes are. If not, you can literally find a boot up your ass from locals who are in a hurry. We tackled this in our Euro Trip Tips.

 

London Underground AKA The Tube-6990

Locals also tend to mind their own business, and are not very keen on other people, tourist or otherwise, taking pictures of them. Take it from us. We go scolded by a teacher with kids on a field trip.

Basically, mind the gap.

London Underground AKA The Tube-6961

And yes, there are educational trips for school children on how to use the tube. It is an essential in urban life.

 

London Underground AKA The Tube-6988 London Underground AKA The Tube-6989

So since it is not polite to take pictures of people here, you can just look into some of the printed advertisements on the trains themselves. It’s quite interesting to find out what the target market of these advertisements are.

 

London Underground AKA The Tube-6992 London Underground AKA The Tube-6993

London Underground AKA The Tube-7188 London Underground AKA The Tube-7004

London Underground AKA The Tube-6986

London Underground AKA The Tube-7190

Expensive to build, but even more expensive for a congested city it cannot move their people to their proper destinations on time. That’s why even at its old age, The Tube still keeps on expanding. It may not be as efficient as Hong Kong’s or Japan’s, but there is no way these other newer stations would have been built if not inspired by this English ingenuity.

Given its age, there will be some delays here and there already. Not to mention there are some instances when partial or whole lines can be shut down for maintenance. But really, people still learn how to live with it, and for certain, they will not have The Tube in any other way.

 

Join us in our journeys En Route on Facebook

Like En Route on Facebook!

Facebook Comments
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Comment on this and Share it on Facebook!

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments


2 comments

  1. […] so, walking along the dimly lit yet charming streets to save on Tube fare, being led by a couple of cousins and their merry friends looking for that last nightcap (out of […]

  2. […] London’s been very fascinating for me. So much to see and do, like every train station has its own character. Take your touristy Oxford street, the more subdued Covent Garden, and the bustling Earl’s […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *