London Mayor Under Pressure to Rethink Robot Tube Trains Amid Ongoing Strike

Senior Labour figures are criticizing Sir Sadiq Khan for stalling on the introduction of driverless trains on the London Underground, citing potential benefits to efficiency and safety. The move comes as the Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates a recent major walkout on the London Underground could cost the economy £270m. The Labour party's rival parties have pledged to pursue the introduction of automated trains, accusing Khan of being "spineless" in the face of union pressure.

Key Takeaways:

Estimates from Sir Sadiq Khan put the cost of automation at £10bn, which has been disputed by Labour figures as "grossly inflated".
The Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates a recent Tube walkout could cost the economy £270m.
40% of Tube drivers are in the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), which opposes the introduction of driverless trains.
Nine Tube lines and parts of the Thameslink and the Elizabeth line are equipped for grade two automation, but the Mayor has halted work towards higher grades of automation.
A study published in 2023 estimated the upgrade to the signalling system and station infrastructure needed for driverless trains would add £10bn to the bill.
Unmanned trains are relatively commonplace in major cities worldwide, with over 620 miles of fully automated metro lines globally.

Statistics:

£10bn: Estimated cost of automation according to Sir Sadiq Khan.
£270m: Estimated cost to the economy of the recent Tube walkout.
620 miles: Combined distance of fully automated metro lines worldwide.
40%: Proportion of Tube drivers in the RMT.
9: Number of Tube lines and parts of the Thameslink and the Elizabeth line equipped for grade two automation.

Sources:

Centre for Economics and Business Research
Sir Sadiq Khan's feasibility study, published in 2023
International Association of Public Transport
Reform's deputy leader, Richard Tice