Transport for London manages two separate rail transportation systems of classic rail network. The most important is the London Underground, as supplemented by the Docklands Light Railway in east and southeast of the city.
TfL also manages a network of trams, Croydon Tramlink centered with lines to Wimbledon, New Addington and Beckenham. Just like roads, souterainnes or surface rail lines converge suburbs to the center of London. Given the large number of commuters who travel to the heart of the city, the trip across town, or suburb to another, is complex and relatively long. The introduction of Tramlink and plans of new rail links are expected to reduce this problem.
London Underground
(Green Park station on the Jubilee line)
The London Underground, known as the tube, is the oldest underground transport system in the world. The first line was opened in 1863 and more than 3 million people (nearly one billion per year) are using daily its 12 lines today. These 12 lines connect mainly the suburbs to central London and the main stations of the city.
The northern part of the city is better served than the south. This results from the nature of the soil on north of the Thames, competition with rail surface transport, and the fact that London began to develop from the north bank of the river. South London is mainly served by a network of light surface rail.
Docklands Light Railway
(Automated train of Docklands Light Railway to Tower Gateway station)
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a light rail line déservant Docklands, East London. This light rail completes the London Underground and offers the same rates. Many stations are matched to the tube. This system primarily serves the new business district of Canary Wharf although this was not his main goal during his inauguration in 1987.
Thanks to the success and development of Canary Wharf, the network has seen many extensions and now 5 main branches connecting Isle of Dogs, Royal Docks in the City of London, Stratford and Lewisham. It also serves the London City Airport. Extensions were made possible in particular to cross the Thames to Woolwich.
Tramway (Croydon Tramlink)
(Ream of Tramlink at Beckenham Junction)
As in many European countries, trams disappeared from London in the mid-twentieth century (July 5, 1952) but are again at the end of the last century, a fashionable silent and less polluting conveyance. A network of trams has been opened in 2000 to serve Croydon, an employment area located south of London. Known as Tramlink, this tram connects the neighborhood to the suburbs around Croydon and Wimbledon to northeast. An extension to Crystal Palace is currently planned. Two other projects are also planned for trams: the West London Tram along Uxbridge Road in west London and the Cross River Tram through Central London between Camden and Brixton Peckkham north and south.
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