Request ID: FOI-1425-2122 Date published: 14 October 2021
You asked
Hi, I’m concerned about the noise levels in the train while travelling on the Jubilee line. It reached 104 decibels on my commute between Swiss Cottage and Westminster on Monday and on Thursday this week (measured by iPhone). The noise clearly increased with the speed of the train.
Could you please give me information about what you regard as a safe noise level for passengers and your workers, and your reasons running the trains at a speed that creates so much noise? Why do you choose to do that? Several adults put their hands over their ears. We would prefer a slower and quieter journey.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1425-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 30 September 2021 asking for information about noise on the Jubilee Line.
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. Your questions and our replies are as follows:
Could you please give me information about what you regard as a safe noise level for passengers and your workers.
Noise is routinely monitored to ensure exposure it remains within the HSE noise at work guidelines. If noise levels are identified to be excessive (though monitoring shows our network remains well within HSE limits), then actions are taken to reduce noise as far as is practicable, including grinding to smooth rails, as corrugation is the principal cause of Tube noise, or adjusting lubrication.
Please see the information in the following links which set out the noise at work regulations.
And your reasons running the trains at a speed that creates so much noise? Why do you choose to do that?
Safety is always our first priority, and trains are always run at a safe speed. Trains are also run at a speed that enables us to run a high-frequency service for our customers – this helps to prevent train traffic bottlenecks and passenger overcrowding at stationsbased on monitored levels of demand on the network.
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
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
