Transport in London / Транспорт в Лондоне


London has the largest public transport networks in the world. During an average working day the buses and Underground tube trains carry about 5.5 million people, and travel over 800,000 km. London Regional Transport have overall responsibility for the buses and the Underground system.

The London Underground

The world's first Underground line was opened between Baker Street and the City in 1863. There are now 273 London Underground stations in use, along with tracts covering 404 km. Sometimes the system is nicknamed "the tube'. You can get free Underground maps from Underground ticket offices, and they are displayed around the stations. There are nine Underground lines, each one named and given its own colour or black and white pattern on the map.

Underground Facts

- Mice and rats live in the train tunnels, feeding on the rubbish they pick up. You can see them along the tracks.

- The Lost Property office received 146,000 items in 1984. There were over 25,000 umbrellas and nearly 11,000 keys.

- The tiles at Baker Street Station feature the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, who lived at 221B Baker Street.

Inside a Station

Underground stations have complicated tunnel networks. Apart from the train routes, tunnels need to be built for lifts, escalators, emergency exits, ventilation fans and pedestrian walkways between the different tracks. Early Underground tunnels were built near the surface, by the "cut and cover" method: digging a trench, building a tunnel in it, and then covering it over. The term "tube" really applies to the deep tunnels built in this century. Deep vertical shafts are dug along the route, and then joined together horizontally, reinforced with a protective shield.

On the Buses

The first London bus started running in 1829, between Paddington and the City. It was a horse-drawn coach called an "omnibus", meaning "for all". In the late nineteenth century trams became popular. They were pulled by horses along special tracks. Later, electric trams and trolleybuses were used. In the early 1900s the first motorized buses were introduced. Today's London double-deckers are the result of many years' technical development. London buses were used in both World Wars. During World War One the took troops to the front. You can see one nicknamed "Ole Bill" at the Imperial War Museum.

London Taxi Cabs

The word "cab" comes from a kind of horse-drawn carriage once used in London, called a "cabriolet". Today's London taxi cabs are usually black, sometimes decorated with advertising slogans. Before drivers can get a taxi licence they have to qualify by memorizing hundreds of time-saving routes and taking tests on them. These tests are called "The Knowledge" and take about two years.

British Rail

British Rail (BR) run overground train services from London to the suburbs and to all parts of Britain. There are 12 main London stations run by BR. Each serves one particular part of the country.

In the Air

Heathrow and Gatwick are the two major airports serving the London area. Both of them have viewing decks for spectators, where you can watch planes taking off and landing.

The London Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum, in Covent Garden, has displays on the history of transport in the capital and lots of restored trams, buses and Underground trains which you can board. You can see a replica of the original omnibus, and operate the controls of a modern bus, an Underground trains and a tram.