New data from Transport for London has identified the Central Line as London's most complained-about Underground service during 2025, with passengers lodging over 1,600 grievances about the route that stretches between West Ruislip and Epping.
The Complaint Statistics Revealed
According to figures released through a Freedom of Information request, the Central Line accumulated 1,651 complaints this year. These reports covered a spectrum of issues, including 40 instances of inappropriate behaviour, three concerning cases of racist and/or homophobic behaviour, and one complaint of sexual harassment.
Despite claiming the unwanted top spot, the Central Line has actually shown improvement. The number of complaints represents a 14% decrease compared to 2024, when the line received 1,929 reports.
Other Lines Under Scrutiny
The Northern Line followed as the second most problematic route, with 1,535 complaints registered so far in 2025. The line serving Morden to High Barnet recorded 26 reports of inappropriate behaviour and 19 complaints of offensive behaviour.
Similar to the Central Line, the Northern Line has seen progress, with complaints dropping by approximately 15% from the 1,810 reports filed throughout 2024.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Waterloo and City Line maintained its position as the network's safest route. The line, which doesn't operate on weekends, registered only 24 complaints this year - nearly half the 45 reports received in 2024. Just one complaint concerned offensive behaviour.
TfL's Commitment to Passenger Safety
Transport for London emphasised its zero-tolerance stance against all forms of abuse across the network. A TfL spokesperson stated: "We are working hard to ensure our customers and staff are safe, feel safe and have the confidence to report any incident".
The transport body confirmed that tackling sexual harassment and improving passenger confidence remains a priority, aligning with the Mayor's strategy to end violence against women and girls.
While complaint numbers have decreased on the most problematic lines, TfL continues to encourage reporting of any incidents, assuring that all complaints will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
