Unfortunately that's how much a zone 1-3 Tube peak single fare is wherever you are in London (I agree, it is pricey!).

If that's a journey you often do, have you considered getting to Whitechapel instead? It's a bit of a walk (or a short bus journey), but then means you're travelling from a zone 2 station, so it's only £1.30.

My commute to West London is now (depending on the route I take) either slightly slower or significantly slower. I have tried changing at Canada Water, but there is no advantage to going that way (other than being slightly cheaper if I go by pre-pay) as the extra distance and the wait for a spot on a full train outweighs the transfer time at London Bridge. Now that there are no fast trains to London Bridge I have to add on the difference to my commute.

If only my workplace had showers, then I could run or cycle to work. At present I have to settle for running home, and its a fair way.

It's 10p more on PAYG (6.30-9.30 and 4-7) than to any of the London Terminals (LB, Vic, CHX), however it works out £1 cheaper than travelling via LB then the tube during the peak.

I agree with Ryan. The ELL is great if you're going to Docklands or Hackney (or for leisure travel) but my journey west is also longer now. I would also be nervous about going home late at night via Canada Water because if anything went wrong I'd be stuck there with hardly any other transport options to Forest Hill. At least at London Bridge I can get a train to Lewisham or East Dulwich and then a bus or cab.

It's not perfect, nor particularly quick, but if you did find yourself stranded at Canada Water (or Surrey Quays) the P12 bus is potentially helpful, running as it does to Brockley Rise. Last bus from Canada Water is at midnight exactly.

I would have thought that this should be something that TFL should look at. Usually along tube routes, if the tube isn't running anymore, there is usually some kind of parallel night bus service.

Not so easy if the tube runs under the Thames in a spot with no road crossings.


I'm still surprised by reports that journey times to West London have been increased. The LB services may take a couple of minutes longer due to the changes to the timetable, but there are additional services to Victoria at peak times and the addition of the ELL, which should allow for faster interchange to the Jubilee line, should mean cheaper and more frequent services to every part of London.

I had always expected people heading for Bond Street and West London would be the largest group advantaged by the ELL. Clearly I'm missing something.

I agree, Michael. My journey to West London in the mornings is so much nicer using the ELL, largely due to the lovely interchange at Canada Water and the lack of delays, and it's no longer. Plus, if you miss one train, you don't have to wait long. It's also great coming back from around Bond Street later in the day.

If it wasn't for the late-night deficit, I wouldn't use London Bridge at al.

First celebrity spotted on the ELL yesterday as I travelled back from Norwood Junction to Forest Hill - Ken Livingstone no less! Judging by the news reports later, he'd just been launching his mayoral campaign for 2012 in Croydon.

On a separate note, the ELL is a great alternative option if you're travelling back from the South Coast - just one simple change at Norwood Junction.

Does anyone know how frequent the ELL trains are?
Two went through the station before the mainline train came yesterday.

8 trains per hour on ELL and between 4 and 6 Southern trains per hour. So you will usually see two ELL trains between Southern trains.

Is it 8 trains per hour all the time?

Is it really the case that two weeks after the official opening this line is now closed this weekend for 'engineering works'? Already? Just more of the same if it is. Looks that already we can't rely on it.

I think so, until after 10pm and then it goes slightly odd.

"Is it really the case that two weeks after the official opening this line is now closed this weekend for 'engineering works'? Already? Just more of the same if it is. Looks that already we can't rely on it. "

yes I am very disapoointed in this - I am heading east on Sunday and was looking forward to an easier journey from HOP to Stratford Hopefull they will be running the full service at weekends very soon

The problem is not with the new track, but the old, heavily used National Rail infrastructure. Maintenance has to be performed some time - we don't want a Potters Bar here

Finally got it last night (Honor Oak Park to Canada Water) and got a real childish thrill out of it.

I had to put away my paper and look out at all the new bits north of NewX!

Only one complaint - the seats are too hard. But that is more than made up for by avoiding London Bridge!

Well its made a massive difference to my journey to and from work, I bluddy love it. HOP to shadwell on a morning, via canada water on a night. I am loving the rose tinted ELL glasses as I have at least an additional hour of my life back not on public transport.
Best of all I never have to get the P4 ever again. Paradise 4 my ar$e, certainly not on the way to work, delayed and full of feral schoolchildren driven by someone who has less concept of reasonable breaking than my mother.

I love the clean trains and i never want to open a side window as i never do it on the tube!

On the ELL train I was on tonight, two of the unopenable windows were open.

If you are bored of the Jubilee Line and want a slower way to get to Canary Wharf, you can now travel along the river for £2 before 10am.

http://www.thamesclippers.com/summer-offers

In fact the boat from London Bridge to Canary Wharf can take as little as 10 minutes. Not a bad alternative to the stuffy and overcrowded tube.