Night Tube launch DELAYED

Plans to launch an all night Tube service on September 12 have been deferred, London Underground has said.

In a statement today, the organisation said that while practical arrangements to run the Night Tube were in place, ongoing talks with trade unions meant it won’t be possible to agree rosters and communicate them to staff in time for the launch date. It still plans to launch the service “in the autumn”.

Three rail unions staged walkouts in July and August, and planned to strike again in the coming weeks.

The 24-hour weekend service on the Jubilee, Victoria and most of the Piccadilly, Central and Northern lines was due to start on 12 September.

The company said it was “deferring” the launch to allow a successful conclusion of talks.

Tube workers have been in dispute with London Underground (LU) over rotas and working conditions on the Night Tube.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of the drivers’ union Aslef, said: “We welcome this decision by London Underground, which gives us all the time and space to negotiate properly on the introduction of the night Tube in the capital”.

‘As LU has always made clear, the Night Tube will not be introduced on this date at any cost to fare and tax payers’. The strikes brought chaos to London’s transportation system.