The London Underground

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London underground consists of 11 different lines and 270 stations, not counting the DLR and London Overground. You would be mistaken if you thought they were just a bunch of transport links. On the contrary each line has its own character.

Last year Jubilee line was voted favourite tube line by
Londoners and Northern the least liked. But there is something more behind "like" and "don't like". Most of us use at least one tube line regularly and have memories related to it. Each line has its own character and style depending on which parts of London it joins, colour it is marked with, people using it, stations' style and others. Here is a small guide to London tube lines' characters.

Central Line is the working people's line. It's one of the longest of tube lines joining north east London with far west and passing through all most important destination people work in London. Red colour means it's important and always hot. Trains operating on this line are simple and functional but have nothing outstanding in design. The same applies to the stations. Commuters just get in and get off, don't think much about the journey and the same is Central Line – it serves the customers but nothing more. Good and faithful employee of the London underground.

Victoria line is the positive one marked with my favourite blue. For me it's a young and dynamic one taking life lightly. Very short, doesn't go over ground at any point of its route and will take you to a party in Brixton. There is a very characteristic energetic voice announcing which side of the train the doors will open at the next station. Its younger sister Jubilee Line is a sharp one and a bit posh wearing a well tailored suit marked with silver colour on the map and with modern stations. Its passengers are always on the move, going to Westminster or Canary Wharf area. It's really hard to make a relationship with this line as it seems cold, ambitious and very official.

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District line is the one which already deserves retirement and it's a bit boring but it also carries London history on its back. As for me the most unreliable line ever. It comes and goes and you never know what to expect when you need it. The old trains seem like they're going to fall apart in a second and it stops every few minutes. Beside the District line you can put Northern and Bakerloo** as well. Their trains seem like the most old school thing ever and apparently once TFL admitted that it would be faster to walk parts of Northern line route instead of taking the train... Bakerloo line has comfy seats but they rather remind me of an old couch – once you sit down you fall into it and you don't really want to get up anymore. Very welcoming.

Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines are the noble ones marked with serious navy and purple on the map. Both of them link London with such destinations as Uxbridge. When you pass a certain zone it seems like you would be going away from London and almost going on vacation.

Besides, Piccadilly is the most international one taking you to the Heathrow Airport. You will always meet there people with massive suitcases and you can guess where they are coming from or going to.

Those are not all of the lines but for me the most characteristic. And what are your impressions on travelling on different lines ?

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