Request ID: FOI-2134-2425 Date published: 15 October 2024
You asked
Hi TfL,
The current pocket Tube Map available at station racks still feature the Dec 2023 tube map - and this is little confusing given that we're in the 10th month of 2024 with no new year map even still, and especially that his time round, the 6 London Overground lines are due to be Renamed & Recoloured with a new updated Tube Map, but I’m kinda confused given that it’s been about 3.5 years since our Mayor first proposed it in early 2021 & over 6 months since they were finalised already in Feb earlier this year.
I read on Art on the Underground's own TfL website - who announced at the start of the Calendar Year that the new pocket tube map will be released in 'August' this year as laid out here:
https://art.tfl.gov.uk/projects/2024-programme-announcement/
This was followed by a FOI request itself just recently which informed us that the next pocket tube map is expected to be released on '23 September' this year - which has been passed over over 10 days ago now and we're now into October, as said over here:
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-1574-2425
As a result, this is just a follow-up of that FOI request, and in this request this time, I wanted to enquire why has the release of the first 2024 Tube Map been this delayed that we're now in the 10th month without a new year map for the first time in this millennium, as in why has it not launched in 'August' as the TfL's Art on the Underground website still says, nor on '23 September' as you explained in the TfL FOI request just a month ago (that I'm following-up on)?
In addition, we normally have a ‘Summer’ edition of the Tube Map either in May/ or June since the past 2 decades every year but 2021 (& that was due to the Northern Line extension opening that launched in September anyways) - so could you confirm to us if the print schedule of the half-yearly Tube Maps has been decided to change starting this year?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2134-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3rd October 2024 asking for information about the pocket Tube map.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“The current pocket Tube Map available at station racks still feature the Dec 2023 tube map - and this is little confusing given that we're in the 10th month of 2024 with no new year map even still, and especially that his time round, the 6 London Overground lines are due to be Renamed & Recoloured with a new updated Tube Map, but I’m kinda confused given that it’s been about 3.5 years since our Mayor first proposed it in early 2021 & over 6 months since they were finalised already in Feb earlier this year.
I read on Art on the Underground's own TfL website - who announced at the start of the Calendar Year that the new pocket tube map will be released in 'August' this year as laid out here:
This was followed by a FOI request itself just recently which informed us that the next pocket tube map is expected to be released on '23 September' this year - which has been passed over over 10 days ago now and we're now into October, as said over here:
As a result, this is just a follow-up of that FOI request, and in this request this time, I wanted to enquire why has the release of the first 2024 Tube Map been this delayed that we're now in the 10th month without a new year map for the first time in this millennium, as in why has it not launched in 'August' as the TfL's Art on the Underground website still says, nor on '23 September' as you explained in the TfL FOI request just a month ago (that I'm following-up on)?
In addition, we normally have a ‘Summer’ edition of the Tube Map either in May/ or June since the past 2 decades every year but 2021 (& that was due to the Northern Line extension opening that launched in September anyways) - so could you confirm to us if the print schedule of the half-yearly Tube Maps has been decided to change starting this year?”.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
Traditionally we have always tried to align the updates of the printed Tube Map with timetable changes unless there are scheduled major events on the network such as the Northern Line extension, Elizabeth Line opening etc. - this is due to the cost implications of producing large amounts of printed material.
Our online and Tfl Go digital version are updated more frequently, as and when there are significant changes on the network. We will be updating the 2024 Tube map once the new London Overground line signage has come into use. This is planned to happen before the end of 2024.
If this is not the information you are looking for 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
