I love TfL, especially the Tube, but I have two gripes that really get under my skin
I understand why they call it ‘New York, New York’, because it’s a city called New York, in the state of New York. I understand why an 80s pop band was called Duran Duran, because it was named after a character from a film.
And presumably US politician Chris Christie was called that as a cruel joke by his parents. But there are some double names on the London Transport system I just don’t get. Yes, I know, it’s pedantic. But I have to see these every day.
The Transport for London (TfL) network is among the best on earth, maybe even the best, with the possible exception of our friends in Tokyo. TfL was officially formed in July 2000, and it’s responsible for all things public transport: rail, bus, trams, river services, cycle schemes, the cable car, and even special services for those with mobility issues.
It’s an all-round masterpiece, a shining example of London in its greatest form. It keeps London moving, regularly cheers us up with philosophical quotes, has kind staff, and Tube drivers even make the odd witty announcement over the announcement system.
I find it gets things right 99 per cent of the time. But not 100.
Being a true born ‘n’ bred Londoner, I’ve been navigating myself through its network for the best part of 30 years, and only recently have I discovered a couple of things, that, in short, p**s me off.
The first lies with the Elizabeth line and Overground – in particular the naming. Tube lines, on their roundels, display single words – Victoria, Metropolitan, Jubilee, and so on.
But with lines that were named more recently, the roundels include the word ‘line’ – Elizabeth line, Mildmay line, you get the idea.
It’s only us serfs who add the term ‘line’ when referring to each one. So by the logic in TfL’s infinite wisdom we end up calling the Elizabeth line, the Elizabeth line line.
It might not bother you, but it sure bothers me. The Elizabeth line cost us £19 billion so you’d have thought TfL would get it right, but it seems that’s too much to ask.
And now we move on to Battersea Power Station, or not! Mr Mayor’s got under my skin again with his lack of logic.
It goes back to the whole naming saga. Again, we the people already have ‘station’ added to the stop names: for example, Vauxhall station, Brixton station, Stockwell station.
So am I obliged to say ‘Battersea Power Station station’? I guess we’ll never know. Yes, I know there’s no such place as Battersea Power, but it annoys me anyway.
You might read this and think ‘who cares mate, get a life!’ And you’d have a good point.
Anyway, I passed my (sixth) driving test last week, so the London Underground network’s history in my books. Go me!
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