New signalling on the Piccadilly line is the “number one priority” for Transport for London (TfL), according to the network’s boss.
London Transport Commissioner Mike Brown said the increase to capacity would be “like an entirely new service in London”.
Modern signalling allows more trains and a more reliable service on Underground lines – meaning the Piccadilly line could run every 90 seconds.
TfL has already commissioned 94 new trains to replace the 50-year-old rolling stock on the line, with the first expected in 2023.
Their design will allow 12% more passengers to board – but it could be boosted by 60% with a more regular service.
That would allow 21,000 more passengers to use the line every hour.
The £2.45 billion signalling upgrade was shelved in 2018 as TfL tightened the purse strings in an effort to cut its deficit.
Labour assembly member Joanne McCartney – who represents Enfield and Haringey – said the difference between the Piccadilly and Victoria lines was now “very stark”.
She said it would be “completely bonkers” if new trains ran on the line for years without a signalling upgrade.
Ms McCartney said: “For my part of north London this is our main route into Heathrow, the UK’s biggest airport – and it’s also the most affordable route.”
The Piccadilly line carries more people to Heathrow than any other train to any other airport anywhere in the world.
