TfL updates Tube map to include Crossrail stations for the first time
Transport for London (TfL) has released a new Tube map for December that features several new Crossrail stations all the way out to Reading.
The new map is the first to feature a section of the Elizabeth Line, which goes to Reading through Maidenhead, Slough, Langley, Burnham and Twyford.
Crossrail – called TfL Rail on the map – is not set to open until 2021, however.
Read more: Crossrail delay until 2021 may cost London £2bn
TfL will take over services to Reading from Paddington station from 15 December. And passengers will be able to use contactless payments on some of the stations added to the Tube map from January.
However, they will not be able to use Oyster cards past West Drayton and will instead have to use contactless and paper tickets.
“Running TfL Rail services to Reading is an important step towards opening the Elizabeth line and reinforces the key transport links between these two areas for local people and businesses,” said TfL Rail operations director Howard Smith.
The changing of the Tube map comes after transport bosses said last month that Crossrail will not open until 2021 and will run up to £650m over budget.
Read more: Crossrail to pay out millions more to firm hired to keep project on track
The long-awaited Elizabeth Line, which was originally due to open in December 2018, will not open until “as soon as practically possible in 2021”, TfL has admitted.
Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild warned technical issues and testing were the factors behind the latest delay to Crossrail’s opening date.
Main image credit: Geoff Marshall