Request ID: FOI-0126-2223 Date published: 05 May 2022
You asked
I would like to know what's the average train speed on the following lines. 1. Jubilee line 2. Victoria line 3. Central line 4. Bakerloo line 5. Northern line 6. Metropolitan line 7. Piccadilly line 8. Circle line 9. District line 10. Hammersmith & City line 11. Waterloo & City line 12. Overground - Richmond/Clapham Junction - Stratford 13. Overground - Highbury & Islington - West Croydon/Clapham Junction 14. Overground - Gospel Oak - Barking 15. Overground - Watford Junction - Euston 16. Overground - Liverpool Street - Chingford 17. Overground - Liverpool Street - Enfield Town/Cheshunt 18. Overground - Romford - Upminster
There was a similar FOI request in 2018 (link here and copied below) and I was essentially wondering if I could get an updated version of it.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0126-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19 April 2022, asking for average train speeds on London Underground and London Overground lines.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:
I would like to know the average train speed for different lines in London. There was a similar FOI request in 2018 (link here and copied below) and I was essentially wondering if I could get an updated version of it.
I would like to know what's the average train speed on the following lines. 1. Jubilee line 2. Victoria line 3. Central line 4. Bakerloo line 5. Northern line 6. Metropolitan line 7. Piccadilly line 8. Circle line 9. District line 10. Hammersmith & City line 11. Waterloo & City line 12. Overground - Richmond/Clapham Junction - Stratford 13. Overground - Highbury & Islington - West Croydon/Clapham Junction 14. Overground - Gospel Oak - Barking 15. Overground - Watford Junction - Euston 16. Overground - Liverpool Street - Chingford 17. Overground - Liverpool Street - Enfield Town/Cheshunt 18. Overground - Romford - Upminster
London Underground train speeds vary across our network, from as slow as 15MPH, up to 60MPH. The speed of the trains can be impacted by a range of factors including the track infrastructure, the type of signalling system, the distance between stations, and the frequency of services in the timetable. For safety reasons, our Underground trains have a maximum speed of 60MPH.
We often run trains in central London at a slower speed, as this allows us to have more trains on the network moving more passengers overall. The faster a train is going, the more distance is required to speed up and slow down at stations. Because many of our stations are relatively close, running the trains slower means we need smaller stopping distances and can have more trains on the line.
Lines like the Metropolitan and Northern lines see the greatest variation in speeds, as once they get into the suburban areas, there is more distance between stations allowing them to get closer to 60MPH.
The table below shows the average speed on London Underground lines, Km/h.
Bakerloo
27.04
Central
37.29
Circle
24.31
District
29.44
Ham & City
27.65
Jubilee
40.32
Metropolitan
44.14
Northern
34.09
Piccadilly
32.65
Victoria
42.49
Waterloo & City
33.30
The table below shows the average speed on London Overground services.
Route
Average Journey Time (mins)
Average Speed MPH
Clapham Junction - Stratford
65 (Eastbound)
16.62
63 (Westbound)
17.14
Richmond - Stratford
62 (Eastbound)
16.45
63 (Westbound)
16.19
Highbury & Islington - West Croydon
52 (Northbound)
17.31
54 (Southbound)
16.67
Highbury & Islington - Clapham Junction
49 (Northbound)
15.92
51 (Southbound)
15.29
Gospel Oak - Barking
35 (Eastbound)
20.57
36 (Westbound)
20
Watford Junction - Euston
49 (Northbound)
22.04
52 (Southbound)
20.77
Liverpool Street - Chingford
27 (Northbound)
23.33
28 (Southbound)
22.5
Liverpool Street - Enfield Town
34 (Northbound)
18.88
35 (Southbound)
18.34
Liverpool Street - Cheshunt
40
21
Romford - Upminster
9
22.7
Please note the information we provided is based on summing up and averaging of various sections and branches. It’s not based on actual observations.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London