Piccadilly line revealed as dirtiest tube in London
Jubilee line cleanest with full-service every 18 days
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that the Piccadilly line is the dirtiest tube line in London. If you don’t already wash your hands after using the Underground, these findings might prompt you to start.
Showers to You submitted the FOI request to Transport for London (TfL), discovering that Piccadilly line trains are fully serviced only once every 43 days. The Piccadilly line operates 86 trains, making it the third-largest fleet on the Underground.
In contrast, the Jubilee line is the cleanest, with trains receiving full-service cleans every 18 days. Interestingly, the Jubilee line has the second smallest fleet, with just 63 trains.
Hey @TfL how when alone on the tube you make extortionate amounts a week.. Iām edging on the side of caution of millions a week! How in 2024 the Bakerloo line looks like something from the Victorian era & the Central & Victoria line need more than a wash?!? Our tubes are gross. pic.twitter.com/dfYYMd5wPN
ā š°ššššš (@ionica_official) September 22, 2024
TfL follows a detailed cleaning schedule for all tube trains. Each train gets a pre-service clean daily, and additional cleans every three to four days, which include cleaning window ledges, windows, and interior panels. Full interior and exterior cleans occur approximately every four weeks.
A TfL spokesperson explained: “Our cleaning schedule for Tube trains consists of three different levels of cleaning: pre-service cleans (daily), further cleans every 3-4 days which include cleaning of window ledges, windows, interior panels, and then a full clean of the interior and exterior of the train around every 28 days.”
The FOI request also disclosed cleaning frequencies for other lines: Central line trains are cleaned every 27 days, Bakerloo and Northern lines every 25 days, and Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City, Circle, and District lines every 28 days.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Canary reveals London Underground’s cleanliness record, highlighting the Piccadilly line’s 43-day cleaning interval and high bacteria levels, emphasizing the need for personal hygiene to prevent infection spread. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the dirtiest tube line in London?
The Picadilly line.
How often are Picadilly line trains fully cleaned?
Once every 43 days.
Which tube line is the cleanest in London?
The Jubilee line.
What is the cleaning schedule for Jubilee line trains?
Every 18 days.
How often do tube trains receive pre-service cleans?
Daily.
