17 Jul 2013
London Underground has taken steps this week to extend the number of air-conditioned trains on the Tube network.
As the heatwave affecting most of the UK shows no signs of abating, Transport for London (TfL) announced that in addition to the whole of the Metropolitan Line now being served by cooler trains, more will now be adding to the Hammersmith & City Line, with the trains on the Circle Line also becoming air conditioned before the summer ends.
Air-conditioning helps people feel cooler, and, on the Tube, will certainly make for a more pleasant journey for staff and customers alike.
But proper ventilation is also important for facilities and building managers wanting to ensure spaces are ventilated with fresh and purified air to combat the risk of external sources of pollution and bacteria.
By the end of 2014, TfL predicts all trains on both of those lines to be fully air conditioned, and by the end of 2016 it is planned to have 191 air conditioned trains running on the Underground, which would amount to around 40% of the network.
Phil Hufton, London Underground’s chief operating officer, said: “The new air conditioned trains have proved a massive success on the Metropolitan line and now customers on the Hammersmith & City are starting to feel the benefits.”
Copyright Press Association 2013