Millions of Londoners rely on the tube daily, but not all lines maintain the same standard of cleanliness. Transport for London (TfL) has recently disclosed which Underground lines are the dirtiest, revealing surprising insights into cleaning schedules.
The Dirtiest Tube Line
According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, the Piccadilly line stands out as the filthiest, averaging 43 days between full-service cleans. This is nearly half as frequent as the Jubilee line, despite both having similar fleet sizes and bacteria levels.
Cleanliness Rankings
Here are the findings regarding London’s dirtiest tube lines based on TfL data:
Piccadilly Line: 14 trains cleaned per week; approximately 43 days between cleans.
S-Stock: Used on the District, Circle, Metropolitan, and Hammersmith & City lines; cleaned every 28 days.
Central Line: London’s busiest trains average 27 days between cleans.
Bakerloo/Northern Lines: Both tied with 25 days between cleans.
Jubilee Line: Cleaned every 18 days, raising eyebrows about its cleanliness.
Cleaning Protocols
TfL’s cleaning intervals are part of a structured maintenance system established in 2020, which includes both ‘mini cleans’ and ‘deep cleans.’ Mini cleans involve spot cleaning, while deep cleans target all internal surfaces and the exteriors of carriages.
Context of the Disclosure
This revelation comes on the heels of the 2023 bed bug scare, where concerns arose about potential infestations on the tube. Although TfL reported no confirmed sightings in two years, studies found high levels of E.coli on the Victoria and Central lines, prompting inquiries into cleaning practices.
Conclusion
While the frequency of deep cleans varies across lines, it does not inherently reflect overall cleanliness. Factors such as passenger behavior may play a role, leaving Londoners to ponder whether the Piccadilly line’s users might simply be tidier than those on the Jubilee line.
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