WIREDGOV

Millions of people will be getting faster, more frequent and reliable services when the next four Tube lines are modernised.

Work will start later this year on the Circle, Metropolitan, District and Hammersmith & City line upgrades - 40 per cent of the network - and customers will see the full benefits by 2022.

The four lines, which include some of the oldest parts of the Underground system built in 1863, carry 1.3 million passengers a day - more than many European countries carry on their entire rail networks.

The details come as London Underground (LU) announces it is set to meet the Mayor's target of reducing Tube delays by 30 per cent by the end of the year.

Next phase

This next major phase in the Underground's modernisation will involve introducing new control systems on the lines so more trains are able to run. On the Circle line alone, it will more than double the number of services.

These latest plans complete the £5.54bn investment to modernise the lines which include 191 new air-conditioned walk-through trains that are already running on the Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines and on some District line services.

The investment also covers new track, longer platforms and upgraded depots using advanced technology for train reliability.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'Our plans are all about giving the Tube the tools it needs.

'By upgrading 40 per cent of the Tube network we will create space for tens of thousands of extra passengers each hour. This will help to ensure London's position as the greatest global city and its reputation as a fantastic place to live, work and visit.'

In the last five years, LU's modernisation and improvement plans have had a huge impact:

• Customer satisfaction,capacity and journey numbers have risen to record levels
• Passenger journeys are now on average two minutes quicker
• Delays have been cut by 43 per cent
• Crime has fallen by more than one third - its lowest ever level
• Improvements have helped create 3,500 new apprenticeships
• The cost of transporting each passenger has been reduced by nearly a fifth