London's Shortest Tube Line Could See Saturday Service Restored
The Waterloo and City line, famously known as 'The Drain', may once again operate on Saturdays following a formal request from the City of London Corporation. This comes after the line's weekend service was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and never reinstated, leaving it as a weekday-only operation since 2020.
Formal Business Case Submitted to Transport Authorities
The City of London Corporation has submitted a detailed business case to both Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor's Office, requesting a trial reopening of the line on Saturdays. Deputy Chris Hayward, the Corporation's Policy Chair, emphasized the importance of this move during a recent Court of Common Council meeting.
"As we move more and more towards being a seven-day a week destination, having 'The Drain' as it's commonly known open on weekends is of fundamental importance to us," Deputy Hayward told council members. He revealed that he and Deputy James Thomson had met with representatives from the local hospitality, leisure, and retail sectors to understand their challenges before submitting the formal request.
Historical Context and Current Usage Patterns
The Waterloo and City line holds several distinctions within London's transport network:
- It is the shortest line on the Underground system with just two stops: Waterloo and Bank stations
- It has historically been primarily a commuter service
- Prior to the pandemic, it operated on Saturdays but never on Sundays or most public holidays
- According to TfL data from 2024, passenger numbers on typical autumn weekdays reached 46,620
- While it's the least-used line overall, it ranks highly on a per-kilometer basis due to its short length
Broader Strategy for a Seven-Day City
This request aligns with the Corporation's Destination City programme, a comprehensive strategy designed to enhance the appeal of the City of London to tourists, workers, and residents alike. Part of this initiative includes an ambitious goal to increase average footfall on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays by five percent.
The Corporation's website outlines how improved weekend transport connectivity forms a crucial component of making the Square Mile a more attractive destination throughout the week. The potential Saturday reopening of the Waterloo and City line represents a tangible step toward achieving this vision.
Current Status and Next Steps
Both TfL and the Mayor's Office have confirmed receiving the business case, though neither has provided detailed comments or timelines for a decision at this stage. The Corporation acknowledged that while they have submitted their formal proposal, they await official responses from the transport authorities.
The trial reopening, if approved, would mark the first Saturday service on the line since the pandemic began, potentially providing valuable data about weekend usage patterns and economic impact before any permanent decisions are made about the line's future operating schedule.
