Transport for LondonCircle line facts
History
A branch from Edgware Road off the original Metropolitan Railway line opened as far as Gloucester Road in October 1868, and on to South Kensington in December that year when simultaneously the District Railway opened its line from South Kensington to Westminster.
In the 'clockwise' direction, the original 1863 line was extended east from Farringdon Street to Moorgate in 1865, Liverpool Street in 1875, Aldgate the following year and finally in 1884 to Tower Hill, which the District reached itself in the 'anti-clockwise' direction at the same time, creating the present Circle.
Circle line facts
Number of passengers on the Circle line
| Weekday | Saturday | Sunday | Annual (mil) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 218,136 | 136,702 | 104,876 | 68.485 |
The Circle line shares almost its entire 22.5km (14mile) route with three other lines, the District, the Hammersmith and City and the Metropolitan.
Only the short sections between High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road and between Aldgate and Minories Junction (east of Tower Hill) are used solely by Circle line trains.
The Circle line serves 27 stations and requires 14 trains to operate the peak period service
The Circle line serves 27 stations and requires 14 trains to operate the peak period service.
It takes on average one hour to complete a round trip, and it has the distinction of serving most of London's main line railway termini.
Circle line trains are known as C stock. They were manufactured by Metro-Cammell of Birmingham in two batches in 1969 and 1977. These Six-car trains, made up of three units each consisting of two cars permanently coupled together. The trains were refurbished by RFS Industries, Doncaster between 1991-1994.
The principal depot for the Circle line is at Hammersmith, but there are several other sidings at Barking, Triangle Sidings (in Kensington) and Farringdon.
In July 1993 a new train crew depot opened at Edgware Road, providing better staff deployment control and more up to date staff facilities.
Circle line management
London Underground has recently established a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to secure stable, long term investment in the system.
This follows the Government's announcement in March 1998 of its intention to divide London Underground into a publicly owned operating company and three privately-owned companies (Infracos) who will be contracted to maintain and enhance the existing network.
The PPP contract was signed with Metronet Rail SSL to upgrade, renew and maintain the Circle line. Metronet Rail SSL's contract also covers the maintenance of the District, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and East London lines.
In order to ease transition to the new PPP structure, the operational side of the Underground has been reorganised from individual lines to a new structure reflecting the proposed Infraco groupings.
From September 1999, the Circle line has been grouped with the District, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and East London lines.
From November 2003, Howard Collins will be responsible for delivering SSL train and station services to meet customers' requirements. Peter Tollington is the line's General Manager.
Further information
If you wish to comment on the Circle line services, or would like to know more about the line, please contact us.
