Stop Accepting Dirty, Overheated, and Poorly Ventilated Conditions on the London Underground

We, the undersigned, call on Transport for London (TfL), the Mayor of London, and the UK Government to urgently address the unacceptable state of cleanliness, air quality, and ventilation across the London Underground network.

Every day, millions of passengers pay significant sums to use one of the most expensive public transport systems in the world. Many commuters spend well over £2,000 per year travelling on the Underground, while some annual Travelcard holders pay several thousand pounds for the privilege of accessing London's transport network.

For that level of financial commitment, passengers should expect a clean, healthy, comfortable, and well-maintained environment.

Instead, many are subjected to overcrowded trains, excessive heat, stale air, dust-filled platforms, dirty carriages, and stations that frequently appear neglected and under-maintained.

 

Londoners Are Paying Premium Prices for Substandard Conditions

The Underground is not a free public service. Commuters fund the network through fares, taxes, and public investment. Yet many passengers finish their journeys feeling exhausted, overheated, uncomfortable, and physically dirty.

During the summer months, temperatures on some London Underground lines can become unbearable, with temperatures of around 35–40°C experienced in parts of the network during severe heatwaves. As summers become increasingly hotter, these conditions are likely to become more frequent and intense. Carriages and platforms can feel like enclosed ovens, with inadequate ventilation and little relief from the heat and humidity, creating uncomfortable and, at times, potentially unsafe conditions for passengers.

Commuters routinely report:

Feeling drained and fatigued before arriving at work.

Excessive sweating during relatively short journeys.

Stuffy, stale air that causes discomfort and headaches.

Dust accumulation on clothing and personal belongings.

Dirty seats, floors, and station surfaces.

A general feeling that basic standards of cleanliness are not being met.

No modern transport network should leave passengers feeling as though they have endured an unhealthy environment simply to get from one place to another.

 

The Public Health Concerns Cannot Be Ignored

The Underground's enclosed environment creates unique challenges for air quality.

Passengers spend hours every week underground, breathing air that often feels heavy, dusty, and poorly circulated. While significant efforts have been made in some areas, many Londoners remain concerned about long-term exposure to poor air quality and excessive particulate matter generated within the network.

The issue extends beyond comfort.

Poor ventilation can increase physical stress, particularly for:

Elderly passengers.

Pregnant women.

Children.

Individuals with respiratory conditions.

People with disabilities and underlying health concerns.

A transport system should support public wellbeing, not undermine it.

 

Other Countries Demonstrate That Better Standards Are Possible

London is one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in the world. Yet many international transport systems routinely provide cleaner, more comfortable environments.

Cities in countries such as Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Singapore, and Japan maintain transport networks that are widely recognised for their cleanliness, air quality, passenger comfort, and overall upkeep.

Visitors returning from these countries often remark on the stark contrast between the experience of travelling there and travelling on parts of the London Underground.

These systems prove that high passenger volumes do not have to result in dirty stations, unpleasant environments, and inadequate ventilation.

If other world-class cities can maintain high standards, London should be able to do the same.

 

This Is a Matter of Respect for Passengers

-The current situation sends the wrong message to the people who rely on the Underground every day.

-Passengers are expected to pay increasing fares while tolerating conditions that would be considered unacceptable in many other major cities.

Londoners should not be expected to:

Travel in excessive heat.

Breathe stale, poorly ventilated air.

Sit in visibly dirty environments.

Arrive at work feeling exhausted and uncomfortable.

Accept declining standards while costs continue to rise.

 

We Call For Immediate Action

-We demand that TfL and the relevant authorities:

-Implement significantly enhanced cleaning schedules across trains, stations, tunnels, and ventilation systems.

-Invest in modern ventilation and cooling technologies across the network.

-Publish transparent air-quality and cleanliness performance data.

-Introduce measurable cleanliness targets and independent inspections.

-Accelerate upgrades to ageing infrastructure contributing to heat and air-quality problems.

-Produce a publicly available timetable for delivering these improvements.

 

Londoners Deserve Better

The London Underground is an essential public service and a symbol of the capital. It should reflect the standards expected of a world-leading city.

Passengers are paying thousands of pounds every year to use this network. They deserve clean trains, clean stations, breathable air, and a comfortable journey.

The current situation is not merely inconvenient it is a failure to provide the level of service, care, and respect that London's commuters have every right to expect.

Sign this petition if you believe London's transport users deserve a cleaner, healthier, and more dignified Underground.