TfL celebrates 25 years of transforming London’s transport network for business and beyond

Transport for London (TfL) is celebrating 25 years of transforming the capital’s transport network, marking a quarter-century of innovation and improvements that have supported London’s economy, connectivity, and sustainability.

This milestone is significant for UK-based business travellers, as TfL’s advancements—such as the Elizabeth line, the Night Tube, and expanded step-free access—have enhanced the efficiency and accessibility of travelling across London for business. With key developments like contactless payments, high-speed connections, and initiatives like Vision Zero, TfL continues to shape a transport network that meets the needs of both local and international travellers.

Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, commented,

TfL’s progress over the past 25 years has been instrumental for business travellers. Innovations like the Elizabeth line and real-time mobile connectivity have made navigating the capital easier and more efficient, helping UK businesses thrive in a connected city.

Highlights of TfL’s achievements include the Elizabeth line, now the UK’s busiest railway, which has driven economic growth and created jobs nationwide. The introduction of the Oyster card and contactless payments has revolutionised commuting, while efforts to make over 200 stations step-free have supported inclusivity. TfL has also led sustainability initiatives, introducing over 1,800 zero-emission buses and pioneering the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which has improved air quality across London.

London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, emphasised the ongoing commitment to innovation, stating,

We are excited to look ahead to the next 25 years, delivering new projects for Londoners, benefiting both the capital and the UK as a whole.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said,

For 25 years, TfL has been connecting Londoners to work, education and leisure opportunities, working to deliver a transport network that is worthy of the greatest city in the world. The Mayor and I are excited for what’s to come, including the next phase of the Superloop, new Piccadilly line and DLR trains, continuing the expansion of our cycle network, and accelerating efforts to make the network more accessible. The Mayor and I are so proud of what TfL has achieved in the last 25 years and we are determined that it will continue to deliver a world-leading service, contributing to a better, safer and fairer city for all Londoners.

Some of TfL’s key achievements over the last 25 years include the following, some of which will appear on posters as part of the work to mark TfL’s anniversary:

• 2000 – TfL’s tram system launched – since then, it has carried more than 590 million passengers
• 2002 – TfL’s online Journey Planner launched, the first multi-modal system of its kind in the UK, allowing customers to plan journeys across several modes
• 2003 – The Oyster smart card was introduced
• 2004 – TfL’s education programmes, now known as TfL Travel for Life, have supported more than three million children to travel towards a brighter, safer and more sustainable future since 2004
• 2005 – TfL’s entire fleet of buses became fully wheelchair accessible; The introduction of free travel for children on TfL services
• 2006 – The launch of Baby on Board badges
• 2008 – The first wide aisle ticket gates were installed at Tube stations as part of TfL’s commitment to make the Underground accessible for wheelchair users, older people, parents with children and travellers with luggage; Priority seating launched, encouraging customers to give up seats for pregnant women, as well as people with disabilities or those less able to stand, making travel easier and safer for all
• 2009 – iBus was fully rolled out. iBus gave London next stop audio and signs, information on all buses and live information on apps and website
• 2010 – The first ever air-conditioned, fully walk through Tube train on the Metropolitan line launched, designed to make life easier for people with disabilities and keep customers more comfortable; Since 2010, more than 137 million journeys have been made on TfL cycle hire bikes, which are now called Santander Cycles. The scheme now includes e-bikes and has doubled the number of cycle hire points across the city since its introduction; London’s streets become the first in England to trial pedestrian countdown technology, which tells pedestrians how long they have to safely cross the road
• 2012 – TfL helped millions to attend the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and kept the rest of the city moving; TfL introduced manual boarding ramps on the Tube to significantly improve accessibility in advance of the Paralympic Games, contributing to the most accessible Games at the time; The 60+ Oyster photocard was introduced
• 2016 – The Night Tube launched – with 7.8 million passengers in the first 12 months; The introduction of the Hopper fare – unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour of first touching in, for the price of a single fare
• 2019 – The first Cycleway launched in 2019, and today London’s cycling network is spans more than 400km, the same length as the Tube network; TfL launched the world’s first lorry safety scheme (Direct Vision Standard Scheme) to help improve the visibility of people walking, cycling or riding e-scooters or motorcycles. Since its introduction, fatal collisions have fallen by 49%
• 2021 – The Northern line was extended to Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms – the first major Tube extension this century – enhancing access to transport for customers
• 2022 – The Elizabeth line launched, increasing rail capacity by 10%, the biggest increase in the capital in 70 years and creating the UK’s most popular railway service
• 2023 – The 1,000th zero-emission bus launched on London’s network
• 2024 – The Care Leaver Oyster photocard was introduced; The first phase of the Superloop was completed, connecting outer London boroughs more quickly with express bus services
• 2025 – The first new Piccadilly line air-conditioned trains will start to be introduced on the TfL network; The first new DLR trains will come into service; TfL will finish converting its bus shelter lighting to LED – currently at 95% of shelters – to create safer, brighter and more welcoming spaces across the network for customers

For more information on how these developments can benefit your business travel experience, contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager today.