London is set to experience scorching temperatures this week, with the mercury expected to hit a balmy 32°C. This will make the capital even hotter than the popular holiday destination of Ibiza, with Monday predicted to be the warmest day of the year so far.
As the city sizzles, millions of commuters will be crammed onto the Tube, facing oppressive conditions underground. Rail experts JRPass took matters into their own hands by submitting a Freedom of Information request to Transport for London (TfL). Their aim was to uncover which tube lines were the hottest and which ones had received the most complaints about the sweltering heat.
According to the findings from JRPass’s FoI request, the Victoria line emerged as the hottest tube line in the entire Underground network. In fact, temperatures on the Victoria line in September soared to a stifling 31.25°C, making it even hotter than Ibiza in the peak of summer.
A staggering 61.22 per cent of all complaints about excessive temperatures on the Underground were related to the Victoria line. The average platform temperature across all lines in 2023 was a sweltering 28.27°C, with the Victoria line consistently recording temperatures above 30°C between June and October.
In response to the high temperatures, TfL has taken steps to cool things down. They have implemented new ventilation and cooling solutions, including doubling the capacity of ventilation shafts on the Victoria line.
Following closely behind the Victoria line in terms of heat is the Central line, with an average temperature of 26.78°C. The Central line also saw temperatures peak in September at 30.89°C. The Bakerloo and Northern lines rounded out the top four hottest lines, with average temperatures of 25.98°C and 25.38°C respectively.
On a more positive note, the Circle, Hammersmith & City, District, and Metropolitan lines, which are air-conditioned sub-surface lines, were found to be the coolest with an average temperature of 19.32°C. These lines are the best options for Londoners looking to escape the heat this week.
The data from JRPass’s FoI request also revealed that the Victoria and Central lines had received the most complaints in 2024 so far, with four complaints each about high temperatures. The Northern line followed closely behind with three complaints, while the Bakerloo line had two.
So, as Londoners brace themselves for the sweltering heat this week, it’s clear that choosing the right Tube line can make all the difference in staying cool and comfortable during the scorching summer days.
