The night tube returns to the Piccadilly line this Friday (29 July) — meaning the nocturnal transport service is back at full capacity for the first time since March 2020.
Night tube services were halted due to the Covid pandemic and lockdowns, and have been gradually reinstated in recent months.
The Central and Victoria lines returned late last year, and the Jubilee line night tube was reinstated in May, followed by the Northern line earlier this month. The night Overground restarted back in December 2021 too, meaning that this weekend's Piccadilly line return brings London's nocturnal tube services back to full capacity.
It's not just late-night revellers who'll benefit from the all-night Piccadilly line. It connects to Heathrow Airport, making it easier to reach the terminals for flights at unholy hours. Night tube services run throughout the night on Friday and Saturday nights.
Even better, those RMT strikes which have been plaguing the night tube lines which were up and running during the first half of 2022 have been suspended, meaning services should be back up running at full capacity and regularity this weekend.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:
I’m delighted that from this Friday there will be a complete night tube service running once again. The full return of the night tube is at the heart of my vision to build a better and safer London for everyone. It shows our city is bouncing back.
There's been pressure for night tube services to return, to help the night-time economy by encouraging people to stay out later making use of bars and restaurants. Safety, particularly that of women, has also been a key issue, with almost 170,000 people signing a petition to this effect.
London’s Night Czar, Amy Lamé, said:
I’m thrilled that the night tube is returning to the Piccadilly line on Friday and Saturday nights. The return of all night tube services will enable those working throughout the night to travel to and from work safely and cheaply.
Hold your horses, though. Before you go planning all kinds of nocturnal shenanigans for this weekend, there's one more thing to be aware of: there's no night Overground service this Saturday night/Sunday morning (30-31 July) due to ASLEF strike action.
