2. YOU brainstormed ideas…
‘LIFE SUPPORT’ ON THE UNDERGROUND. Take back time on the move and create more space in your life
1 for the things that matter to you
2 OYSTER REWARDS SCHEME. Oyster „Pearls‟ Tiered reward scheme based upon travel (similar to airlines)
ON & OFF DOORS ON THE TUBE. Develop a „one-way‟ system whereby you get on and off via specific
3 doors – e.g., get on at the front of a car and off towards the rear
THEMED TUBE CARRIAGES. Different theme for each carriage (silent disco, quiet zone, dating carriage,
4 gaming zone, party carriage, tourist information zone)
BRING OUT THE ‘PERSONALITY’ IN TUBE STAFF. Aim to have uplifting and cheering morning
5 announcements – a happy medium between too „cheery‟ for non-morning people
6 TUBE RADIO. Radio station for commuters – will be aired at different times of the day across all lines
7 THEMED MOOD CARRIAGES. Themed carriages (tropical, sports, wellbeing, calm, rock, classical, sleep,
massage, etc); relevant piped music, aromas, on window projections etc
8 DRINKS ON THE PLATFORM. Vending machines with cold drinks will be available on every tube station
platform
…then we asked LONDONERS (515 of them) what they thought
(online survey, results within the hour) 2

3. The WINNING idea is…
That‟s brilliant. Sometimes, I don’t
IDEA 8
have cash on me, so paying via
oyster is great as I‟m always thirsty
Would come in very handy during a too.
Drinks on the Platform
hot summer when it gets extremely
hot on the underground. Would also
save time by not visiting a shop after
your journey to get a drink. •Vending machines with cold
One of the worst fears for most
underground travellers is to be trapped in drinks will be available on
a hot train amongst sweaty, bad-tempered
fellow passengers in a tunnel, for what every tube station
might be hours.
Being able to use an oyster card for
more than just purchasing fares is a
The ability to obtain some food and drink platform
on the spot, on days when delayed services
very good idea as quite often there
are times when there is amounts of
are posted before taking a train, can be a •You can pay with oyster,
life-saver and temper-saver. I know.
credit left over on oyster cards after
paying fares, so being able to use an
It happened to me. cash or debit card
oyster for drinks etc would be very
beneficial.
•You can even refill your
Free water is really important for
water bottle for free!
health and there's not enough of it
around.
I like idea of being able to refill
water bottle for free, get so hot on
the underground. vending machine good
idea too as long as its not overpriced. 79% LIKED
Getting a drink, especially water in
hot weather is long over due, but
this idea
very very welcome.
3

4. IDEA 1
‘Life support’ on the underground
Take back time on the move and create more space in your life for the things that matter to
you; Every underground station will have:
• Everything you need to prepare for your day
• Showers, shirt press, hair dryers, mirrors and shoe repairs, WiFi, printing and phone charging
stations
• Everything for your evening: order and collect online shopping groceries
How Londoners rated it What they liked What they didn’t like
A practical idea that Nice thought, but not
makes life easier! the best investment….
39% liked it It would be easy to pick up orders from
online since not having to wait for it to Who'd have time for the morning one?
arrive to your home, that you get a message Unless there's an emergency and I really
or text that it arrived and ready to be picked think only shoe repair and phone
up from your nearest underground station and recharging would be much use.
may not take has long than a normal delivery.
27% were neutral I'm very busy, and am always moving
about the city, and if I can collect things
Sounds like a lovely idea but I don't
believe it's a good way to allocate
as i move through, or give my phone a investment. I'd prefer them to improve
quick charge, it would save me so much the reliability and safety of the
hassle. Underground first.
Handy for people who use the tube all
34% didn‟t like it the time. And for people like me who
are always in a rush or running late.
Great for the corporate tube user who‟s
Ever heard of just getting on a train and
going from A to B safely and cleanly. This
is an April Fool surely.
always in and out of meetings.
4

5. IDEA 2
Oyster Reward Scheme
• Oyster „Pearls‟ Tiered reward scheme based upon travel (similar to airlines)
• Points accumulated that could be spent on London attractions
• App that allows you to view offers whilst on the tube
• Also provide point update information at ticket machines
• App allows for community elements, allow tube travels to communicate with each other
• Integrate travel alerts and trip planning
• When using your rewards, you get free travel to the event
How Londoners rated it What they liked What they didn’t like
The idea of being Not convincing; just make
REWARDED the tube run efficiently!
63% liked it I like the idea of accumulating points Who thought this up they have never been on the
underground. How about giving us cash refunds for every
to spend on other things but it depends train too crowded to get on? Give each passenger £1 for
on how much you have to spend, etc, so I every minute delay. Give each passenger on the station
£100 for each scheduled train that does not turn up?
am not completely positive about it for When you run the underground like an airline - instead of a
that reason. scrapyard - you can think of these things?
25% were neutral Only seems fair that everyday users of
the tube network should be rewarded
I would prefer the expense of this to
contribute to lower fares which are
in some way considering the absolutely
more likely to contribute to the well-
extortionate prices they have to pay in
being of commuters.
order to use the service.
I do love the point idea and think it should have been
12% didn‟t like it
introduced ages ago, but I don't like the restrictions to
points use. It would be much more attractive to use bonus Lets just provide a safe, efficient and
points towards future Oyster top-ups (just like the reliable service and ditch the useless
supermarket loyalty cards) rather than towards events and
attractions. If I am travelling like mad, will I really have
frills.
enough time to visit attractions??
5

6. IDEA 3
On and Off Doors on the tube
• Develop a “one-way” system whereby you get on and off via specific doors – e.g., get on at the
front of a car and off towards the rear
• Mirror this on the platform – queue for “on” and leave a space for people getting “off” the
train
• Reduce congestion during peak/rush hour commuting hours by streamlining the
boarding/disembarkation process
How Londoners rated it What they liked What they didn’t like
A smart idea that Alas…. the London tube
addresses a big pain point traveller won‟t follow the rules
46% liked it Have you ever met London travellers? There is
This is probably one of the better ideas literally no scheme too simple for them to mis-
understand, get angry about and then have BTP
to evaluate - this will certainly stop the
escort them out of the station. This will end in
idea of waiting for people to disembark tears, shouting and endless delays to my journeys
before trying to 'force' and entry in. as idiots get angry about it and have to be dragged
of the train.
23% were neutral Sounds like a smart idea. Far too many
In theory terrific idea but you need
staff to police it as there will always be
idiots who have no concept of allowing
idiots who will do the opposite of what
people to get off the train first.
is required.
Have you tried moving AT ALL on a crowded
31% didn‟t like it Time is wasted waiting for people to get train?? (Have you ever tried to carry a
shopping bag, a handbag and an umbrella, hold
off the tube before others can board, so onto a rail AND scratch your nose at
this would increase efficiency. 8.15am???????). A ridiculous idea - it would
never work as far as I can see.
6

7. IDEA 4
Themed Tube Carriages
• Thurs - Sun evenings
• Different theme for each carriage (silent disco, quiet zone, dating carriage, gaming zone,
party carriage, tourist information zone)
• Opportunity to mix with like minded people
• Ability to vote for theme of the week
• Funded by sponsorship & increased travel
How Londoners rated it What they liked What they didn’t like
It just sounds Seems silly – the British
FUN don‟t talk to strangers!
23% liked it Does this idea come from someone quite
young? Or maybe this person doesn't use
A dating carriage is a brilliant idea, I
public transport very much. We need a
always see people I fancy on the train.
very high level of function and
reliability. Please let's focus on that!
27% were neutral This is such a good idea! Can see it
having a cult interest and can imagine it Frightfully un-British. The British do
would be a lot of fun (especially silent not talk to strangers.
disco!) .
I think it is fun and interesting.
50% didn‟t like it Nowadays people do not talk to each
other enough and this could bring a
friendly social environment to whoever
You can't be serious???? Naff!!!
take the train LOL – I like it very much.
7

8. IDEA 5
Bring out the ‘Personality’ in Tube Staff
• Aim to have uplifting and cheering morning announcements – a happy medium between too
„cheery‟ for non-morning people
• Occasional „seasonal‟ messages from Boris- and not too lengthy – short and sweet
• Funny cheerful staff – for example encourage driver personality or platform staff to express
themselves (put a twist on general announcements i.e: we all want to get home to dinner). We
all enjoy when drivers are funny, witty and who break the norm
• Could lift the spirits of travellers and also boost certain routes and specific train times
How Londoners rated it What they liked What they didn’t like
Adds a bit of cheer & No need for „personality‟
makes one SMILE and NO BORIS please…
53% liked it Because the normal announcements are
really boring and the staff making them Boris messages would make me suicidal
sound as they are bored and auto pilot, it and staff are put upon enough already
would make me smile to hear a without having to become "personalities"
cheerful message or Boris.
23% were neutral It would be a welcome change from
solemn faces all studiously ignoring each
Where this currently happens the
staff are massively irritating. Focus
should be on recruiting and training
other on the train. Would lift spirits and
effecient professional staff and not
humanise tube staff.
second rate wanabee actors.
24% didn‟t like it
Forget the Boris messages - they would
go down like a lead balloon!! The other Boris will irritate a lot of people. The
ideas are good - everyone can do with only thing I want from him is silence.
cheering up a bit on the way to work!
8

9. IDEA 6
Tube Radio
• A radio station for commuters – will be aired at different times of the day across all lines
• Listen to jokes from the most entertaining Tube Drivers, rate your tube driver
• Relax with some classical music on your journey home. Or get a weather or network update
• A new service that will bring free entertainment to London‟s commuters
How Londoners rated it What they liked What they didn’t like
Spreads cheer (no jokes needed Just leave me alone
from Tube Drivers though…) in PEACE!
44% liked it Most people like me, prefer not constantly to be
reminded we are having to travel by public
A light-hearted radio station you can listen to transport, rather than by our own chauffeured
that gives you network updates would cheer limo. We immerse ourselves in our own books, e-
people up and keep them informed. readers, newspapers, mp3-players, etc., as a
reliable and effective way to switch off from our
uncongenial environment and fellow-travellers.
Most of us, I would expect, would wish to continue
with occupying this comforting 'bubble' of our
own making. I for one, would resent this being
26% were neutral
I think music would be good. Classical isn't my personal pricked by a lot of RadioOne-type stuff and
favorite type but It's what I'd put in place here. There's a nonsense, from yapping DJs and others such.
couple of tube stations which I use that play classical
music in the ticket hall and I feel it improves the
atmosphere while traveling through. I would definitely not
want radio station spoken broadcasts of jokes etc. there's I don't think people who read their kindles or
already high. A level of voices and announcements and
play games on their iphones would like to be
other noise, which impacts on travelers.
disturbed. Even commuters who just sit on a train
do not want to be disturbed.
Why not? Think this is a good idea - For god's sake - all we want is to get home easily
30% didn‟t like it although will you have to tune in via a
smartphone or tablet (for example) or
will it come on the speakers on the train?
and on time. Those folk who want to listen to
music etc already have their own ipads or mp3
players - the tube is noisy enough as it is
anyway. If you have money to spare, keep the tubes
Anything to cheer up the commute! cleaner and pay staff more.
9

10. IDEA 7
Themed Mood Carriages
• Themed carriages (tropical, sports, wellbeing, calm, rock, classical, sleep, massage, etc.)
• Relevant piped music, aromas, on window projections, mood lighting, tv‟s, etc.
• Themes changed regularly based on customer collaboration/feedback (touchscreen surveys in
carriages)
• Targeted advertising in carriages can be sold to generate revenue
How Londoners rated it What they liked What they didn’t like
It‟s FUN and would make I just want to be
travel ENJOYABLE LEFT ALONE!
29% liked it
Sounds fun! As long as it isn't too garish This idea would put me off using the tube
and brash, it could make tube journeys when I get the tube all I want is to find
more enjoyable. a seat and left alone.
26% were neutral It'll be nice if every carriage you went
into was different. It will make the
You cannot hear piped music on the
Underground - you cannot even hear
journey less dull and boring. Give one the messages that are currently
something to do while on-board and who played. No advertising please - we have
knows it might even park conversations. enough of that already.
The Underground is a means of getting from a to b.
45% didn‟t like it
Please let me get into the classical music The process is unpleasant enough without being
carriage every time and love the idea of made even worse by this sort of stupidity. The
lighting colours in the carriage to suggestion is basically offensive - presumably tfl
wasted public money on the idiot who came up with
match the mood.
the idea. A disgrace.
10

11. IDEA 8
Drinks on the Platform
• Vending machines with cold drinks will be available on every tube station platform
• You can pay with oyster, cash or debit card
• You can even refill your water bottle for free!
How Londoners rated it What they liked What they didn’t like
A practical and Adds to clutter
useful idea and litter…
79% liked it Would come in very handy during a hot
There used to be vending machined years
summer when it gets extremely hot on
ago. It is only going to add to clutter
the underground. Would also save time
and litter. Leave the platforms clutter
by not visiting a shop after your journey
free for passengers.
to get a drink.
14% were neutral
This would encourage litter, the homeless
That‟s brilliant. Sometimes, I don’t have would break into the machines for drinks
cash on me, so paying via oyster is and money and on frequent occasions,
great as I‟m always thirsty too. somebody who buys a drink would no longer
have enough money on the oyster card to get
home, the most expensive drink ever!!
One of the worst fears for most underground
travellers is to be trapped in a hot train amongst
sweaty, bad-tempered fellow passengers in a
7% didn‟t like it
tunnel, for what might be hours. Not a fan of eating or drinking on the
The ability to obtain some food and drink on the
spot, on days when delayed services are posted underground, it's pretty dirty. Plus
before taking a train, can be a life-saver and the platforms are busy enough anyway.
temper-saver. I know. It happened to me.
11