Helping transform the London Underground
Signalling
To help Transport for London (TfL), the capital’s integrated transport authority, improve service and passenger experience, Thales is implementing SelTrac™ Communications-Based Train Control signalling across London’s busiest routes.
Supporting more than 1M passenger journeys each day, this signalling technology underpins 60% of the transport network, including the District, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Northern and Jubilee tube lines, as well as the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), an automated light metro system which provides a direct connection between London’s two major financial districts, Canary Wharf and the City of London.
Over time, this technology upgrade has led to faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys for millions of passengers.
Communications
For the last 23 years, Thales has collaborated with London Underground and partner organisations to design, build, install, operate and maintain Connect; London Underground’s radio, transmission and operational CCTV communications technology.
The London bombings of 2005 highlighted an urgent need for rapid communications between underground personnel, and emergency services controllers above ground. To fulfil this requirement, the Connect network was physically integrated with Airwave, the national operator for emergency service radio communications, using the Connect system’s integrated TETRA technology.
While the Connect and Airwave systems operate separately, both allow communication in the underground when it matters most, which ensures uninterrupted communication between emergency service responders, allowing them to focus on resolving critical situations. Today, Thales maintains and operates this system on behalf of the UK Home Office, having enabled effective communications during periods of crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as national events like the 2020 Olympics and King Charles III’s Coronation.
Offering seamless 100% coverage and a 24/7 4-hour response time, this technology helps keep passengers safe at all times, keeping London moving when Londoners and its visitors need it most.
From navigating rail safety during a global pandemic to driving a seamless communications system upgrade of the London Underground and equipping a station with emergency fire response, Thales has been collaborating with partners and the customer to ensure safe and reliable operations.
