Travel

Transport in London

Transport is one of the four areas of policy administered by the Mayor of London, however the mayor’s financial control is limited and he does not control the heavy rail network, although in November 2007 he assumed responsibility for the North London Railway as well as several other lines, to form London Overground. The public transport network, administered by Transport for London (TfL), is one of the most extensive in the world London has been commended as the city with the best public transport. Cycling is an increasingly popular way to get around London. The London Cycling Campaign lobbies for better provision.

London Buses
London’s bus network is one of the largest in the world, running 24 hours a day, with 8,000 buses, 700 bus routes, and over 6 million passenger journeys made every weekday. In 2003, the network’s ridership was estimated at over 1.5 billion passenger trips per annum, more than the Underground. Around £850 million is taken in revenue each year.
London has the largest wheelchair accessible network in the world and, from the 3rd quarter of 2007, became more accessible to hearing and visually impaired passengers as audio-visual announcements were introduced. The distinctive red double-decker buses are internationally recognised, and are a trademark of London transport along with black cabs and the Tube.

London Railways
The centrepiece of the public transport network is the London Underground — commonly referred to as The Tube — which has eleven interconnecting lines. It is one of the oldest, longest, and most expansive metro systems in the world, dating from 1863. The system was home to the world’s first underground electric line, the City & South London Railway, which began service in 1890.

London airport
London is a major international air transport hub with the largest city airspace in the world. Eight airports use the words London Airport in their name, but most traffic passes through one of five major airports. London Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the world for international traffic, and is the major hub of the nation’s flag carrier, British Airways.

London Roads
Although the majority of journeys involving central London are made by public transport, travel in outer London is car-dominated. The inner ring road (around the city centre), the North and South Circular roads (in the suburbs), and the outer orbital motorway (the M25, outside the built-up area) encircle the city and are intersected by a number of busy radial routes — but very few motorways penetrate into inner London. The M25 is the longest ring-road motorway in the world at 121.5 miles (195.5 km) long.

Taxi in London
London Black Taxis’ (which are no longer exclusively black) are licensed and regulated by the Public Carriage Office which is part of London’s Metropolitan Police. Drivers must pass extensive tests on their knowledge of all the streets, landmarks, hotels and train stations in London.
Unlike unlicensed ‘minicabs’ black taxis can pick passengers up when hailed in the street, and are available when their distinctive yellow ‘For Hire’ sign at the front of the Taxi is lit. When the driver stops and you tell him where you want to go, he is obliged to take you provided the journey is less than 6 miles (9.6 km). If seat belts are fitted in the taxi, then they must be worn at all times.
Airport Taxi
Phone: +44 (0)20 7474 3186
Computer Cab
Phone: +44 (0)20 7286 0286
Dial-A-Cab
Phone: +44 (0)20 7253 5000
Lady miniCabs
Phone: +44 (0)20 7272 3300
Radio Taxi Cabs
Phone: +44 (0)20 7272 0272