The Elizabeth line, one of the UK’s busiest railways in the country, celebrates its one year anniversary today.
More than 150 million journeys have been made across the Elizabeth line in its first year since its opening on May 24 2022.
The line is used for about 600,000 trips each weekday – including about 140,000 “additional journeys” that would not have been made by rail had the line not opened.
The £20bn line, which stretches from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, took 13 years to build.
It was due to open in December 2018, at a cost of £14.8bn, but the project was delayed due to major challenges with software, track signalling and installing equipment.
The Elizabeth line was officially opened by her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on May 17 2022 and was opened to the public a week later.
We’ve taken a look at some of the major milestones the new line has seen over the last year.
1. The first Elizabeth line journey between Paddington and Abbey Wood
The mayor of London Sadiq Khan (R) and former TfL Commissioner Andy Byford disembark after travelling on the first eastbound train on the Elizabeth Line as it opens to the public at Paddington Station on May 24, 2022
2. Excited passengers on the opening of the Elizabeth line
Transport enthusiasts Ian Kelly (left) with his friend Timothy Leberl (right) were amongst the first passengers to board the Elizabeth line from Paddington Station.
3. The Elizabeth line clocks more than one million passenger journeys in first week
The central section of the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Abbey Wood saw more than one million journeys in its first five days.
4. The Bond Street station on the Elizabeth Line opens
The Bond Street station on the Elizabeth Line opened on October 24 2022. The station accommodates about 140,000 people a day, with entrances at Hanover Square and Davies Street.