Tube Lines Reports Delay Reductions

London Underground maintenance firm Tube Lines says travel delays decreased 14 percent over the third quarter, compared to the same period in 2006.

In its quarterly performance report, the company, which handles maintenance and upgrades of the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines, says overall reliability for the 2007-08 year-to-date is ahead of target.

The ambience score, measured by mystery shopper–type reviews, increased by 1.52 points, but missed its target by 0.04 points.

Tube Lines says significant ambience improvements have been made to the Northern line fleet, by upgrading seat covers, installing brighter lights and using an improved floor cleaner.

Cleaning regimes have also been stepped up to remove discarded newspapers and graffiti-countering measures have been introduced.

Tube Lines says capital expenditure for the quarter is £15m above the forecast of £110m, due to station improvement programmes being ahead of schedule.

Tube Lines reported 28 zero delay days, compared to 24 in the previous quarter.

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh