Boris Johnson joined Tube bosses and passengers this morning for the official launch of London Underground’s first air-conditioned train.
The Mayor travelled from Wembley Park to Watford on the new Metropolitan line train – the first of a fleet of 191 S-Stock trains for the sub-surface section of the Tube network.
Mayor Johnson said “Unless you are cycling, there cannot be a better way to criss-cross North West London than in this smooth state of the art addition to London’s infrastructure. This train is quite literally the coolest ride in town.”
Joining the Mayor was Transport for London Commissioner Peter Hendy who said passengers could look forward to trains which, in addition to being cooler, are “more spacious, more accessible and boast the latest CCTV systems.”
Roll-out of the new trains across the Metropolitan line is expected to be completed by 2011 ahead of the Circle and Hammersmith & City operating the new model from 2012 and the District line in 2013.
The new trains will not operate on the deeper Tube lines, however TfL say they are continuing to explore ways to cool these stations and trains.