Freedom of Information request - New LO lines on Tube Map
Request ID: FOI-4197-2324 Date published: 14 March 2024
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
On Thursday 15th February, you announced the new names and colours of the London Overground lines, and mentioned that these names and colours will be shown on the tube map. I have two questions regarding to the inclusion of these lines.
1. How have the line colours been chosen? The various shades of green on the LU District Line, LO Suffragette Line and the London Trams may cause some difficulties for colourblind people to see what one of these services go to their destination, especially at Barking where passengers can change between the District and Suffragette Lines.
2. How will these lines be shown on the Black and White tube map? In the press release announcing the new names and colours, you've included PDFs of the new London Overground and Tube Map, due to be introduced in the Autumn. Are you able to attach a copy of the Black and White tube map if you have access to this.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-4197-2324/GH
Thank you for your request received on 18 February 2024 asking for information about the renaming of London Overground lines.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
1. How have the line colours been chosen? The various shades of green on the LU District Line, LO Suffragette Line and the London Trams may cause some difficulties for colourblind people to see what one of these services go to their destination, especially at Barking where passengers can change between the District and Suffragette Lines.
2. How will these lines be shown on the Black and White tube map? In the press release announcing the new names and colours, you've included PDFs of the new London Overground and Tube Map, due to be introduced in the Autumn. Are you able to attach a copy of the Black and White tube map if you have access to this.
The plan to use colours for London Overground lines is identical to the approach taken for the London Underground, in that it will retain its own identity that customers will recognise, the orange roundel, but with line names and colour being used to distinguish each individual route. The choice of which line has which colour is based on minimising confusion with existing Tube lines or other modes of transport that have similar colours. It is important to emphasise that the London Overground modal identity or brand will not change, and there will still be the familiar orange London Overground roundels displayed outside all stations, on all platforms, while the colour designs on the trains will not change.
This strategy is well understood by our customers, with over 100 years of use on the Tube, and customer testing undertaken as part of this project has validated this approach – including accessibility customers and stakeholders.
The colours of the lines were chosen to minimise confusion with existing Tube lines or other modes of transport that have similar colours and to ensure they are as accessible as possible.
TfL has worked with accessibility stakeholders to ensure the line colours chosen are visually distinct and accessible as possible for all of our customers. This has included testing how the new colours are suitable for customers with a range of visual impairments, including colour blindness.
Any other maps, including the black and white map and step-free guide will be updated in due course.
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.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
