New data just published reveals that the number of journeys taken on London’s transport network hit an all-time record.

The week of 22 September recorded 76.1 million passenger journeys on London Underground and London Buses combined – the highest ever level.

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that London Underground saw 26.1 million passenger journeys, while London Buses carried 50 million passenger journeys – the largest number ever for buses.

Last year’s combined Tube and bus record of 75.8 million journeys was set during the week of 9 December, which traditionally sees higher passenger numbers as London gears up for Christmas, and new highs are expected to be reached this coming December.

Not that any of this is much of a surprise. London’s population continues to grow faster than any other European city. 

It stands at 8.4 million today and will reach 10 million by 2030.

Good reason for London’s Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy to say he has to keep looking towards the future and continue TFL’s investment programme, “to ensure our transport network keeps pace with the growing number of people who need it”.

And remember all that strike kerfuffle over ticket office manning earlier in the year? The upshot is that TfL says that bringing staff out from underused ticket offices next year to face customers in ticket halls, at gate lines and on platforms will help it cope with numbers.

As will, from 12 September next year, the introduction of the ‘Night Tube’ – all night 24 hour services on key lines on Friday and Saturday nights.