There's a brand new tube map that's leaking onto platforms across the capital, and what's more, it's got a brand new line on it. Sort of.
So ... there is a new tube map with this on, at the westbound sub-surface platform at Kings Cross. TFL rail goes to Heathrow as of Sunday May 20th. pic.twitter.com/h7GIGtQC7V
— Geoff Marshall (@geofftech) May 14, 2018
That's right, the 'new' line is another branch of TfL Rail, formerly Heathrow Connect.
Those of you familiar with the Tube and Rail map might recognise this western line, stretching from Paddington down to Heathrow Terminal 4.
Of course that's only part of the story, because this is only going to become Crossrail — or the Elizabeth line as we won't call it — in December later this year.
The new map itself launches imminently. There aren't currently any paper or digital copies, but a few have been spotted at platform level. Our sources tell us that King's Cross and Liverpool Street are worth checking out, if you just can't bear to wait a few more days.
One thing this map doesn't make particularly clear, is how much it will cost to get to Heathrow. The map indicates that the two Heathrow stations are in zone 6 — but although journeys on the Piccadilly line will be charged at zone 6 prices, the TfL Rail fare will be higher. Namely, it will cost £10 on TfL Rail to get to Heathrow, compared to just £5 — or £3 off-peak — on the tube.
Whether this is an accidental omission of information, or a sneaky way to get the uninformed to spend more, watch out for this one.
See also: Is Crossrail going to obliterate the Heathrow Express?
