The London Underground

Pazartesi, 30 Kasım 2009 14:59

London guide - Londra'da ziyaret edilecek yerler

The London Underground is one of the most efficient underground train system in the world and has been the model for many smaller metros. It first opened in 1863 when it was considerbaly smaller and in 1890 it operated the first electric trains. The tube map which has inspired other transport system and even works of art like the Great Bear is cleverly interwoven, non geographical portrayal of all the different lines and stations. Some of the stations have wonderful art work on the walls and it has been said to have been a very influential system of transport.

In practicality terms it is pretty faultless. There are lines which are reknowned for being unreliable, for instance the district and circle lines, but theis only means slight delays now and again. What you do need to watch out for is ruch hour, it is absloutely obscene. From about 7.30am to 10am and similarly in the evenings from 4.30om you can start to see the impact and the situation worsens until about 6.30pm or 7pm in the evening. The stations and trains are absolutely packed and in the summer with no air conditioning it is not a pleasant experience! Just when you think the train could not possibly hold one more person, a whole hoard will push on. Indeed of you want to get anywhere in rush hour, you have to be selfish and pushy otherwise you will continuously get shoved to the back.

Other than that the tube is great. Going all the way out to heathrow for instance, it keeps the whole city inter connected and does not cost too much. The prices operate on a zonal tarrif. However the average fare when you pay cash is £4 for most distances. You can also buy day passes for about £7 which, if you use them a lot can work out very cheap.

However most people in London nowadays have an oyster card. This is a card which dramatically reduces your fare. You can pay for yearly ones etc or simply have pay as you go where you top it up when it gets low. These reduce a single fare of £4 down to £1.60 and also work on buses making a single cost 90p. It is a great system and is worth looking into if you are spending a substantial amount of time in London.

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