Millions of Londoners and visitors are set to benefit from a series of major transport upgrades in the capital next year. Transport for London (TfL) has outlined its key projects for 2026, focusing on modernising the Tube, expanding bus networks, and improving accessibility and connectivity across the system.
Confirmed Upgrades: New Trains and Expanded Connectivity
One of the most anticipated changes is the long-awaited introduction of new trains on the Piccadilly Line. After previous delays, the first of 94 new walk-through, air-conditioned trains are scheduled to enter service in the second half of 2026. The £2.9 billion fleet will eventually replace the current trains, which date from 1973.
Simultaneously, a project to deliver uninterrupted 4G and 5G mobile coverage across the London Underground network is set for a dramatic expansion. Currently limited to central zones on some lines, the coverage will be rolled out to ticket halls, platforms, and tunnels on the Tube, DLR, Elizabeth Line, and the Windrush Line between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate.
Step-Free Access and Signalling Modernisation
Improving accessibility remains a priority. While work to make Northolt station step-free will be completed in 2026, TfL is progressing feasibility studies for 17 other shortlisted stations. Currently, just over a third of Tube stations have step-free access.
On the rails, the Four Lines Modernisation (4LM) project will reach a key milestone. The signalling upgrade on the District Line sections is expected to be completed, paving the way for more reliable and frequent services on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines in future years.
Superloop Expansion and Future Ambitions
Beyond the Underground, TfL's express bus network, the Superloop, will continue to grow. Two new routes are confirmed to launch in 2026: the SL11 from Abbey Wood to North Greenwich and the SL12 from Gants Hill to Rainham. Consultations are also underway for three additional proposed routes connecting Ealing Broadway to Hendon, Stratford to Chingford Hatch, and Clapham Junction to Eltham.
Looking further ahead, TfL plans to push forward in 2026 with its application for powers to build the DLR extension to Thamesmead. If approved promptly, construction could start in 2027, with the line opening in the early 2030s. The organisation also confirmed it will continue to lobby the government for funding for the West London Orbital railway and the Bakerloo Line extension.
A Sustainable Future for London's Transport
A TfL spokesperson stated that the recently agreed multi-year capital funding settlement with the government enables "long-term, sustainable investment." They emphasised that this investment is crucial for supporting new homes, jobs, and economic growth across London and the UK, moving away from the "stop-start nature of funding" seen in recent years.
The planned upgrades for 2026 represent a significant step in modernising London's vast transport network, aiming to enhance capacity, reliability, and the overall experience for the millions who depend on it daily.
