Night Tube: London Overground Night Service to be back by Christmas

The London Overground Night Tube is set to be back before Christmas, it has been confirmed.

The Overground Night Service, run by Transport for London (TfL), operates on Friday and Saturday nights but closed during the Covid pandemic, along with the rest of the Night Tube.

But TfL have now confirmed the service will resume on Friday, December 17, running every 15 minutes throughout the night.

This is following the Central and Victoria lines reopening on Saturday, November 27.

Rory O’Neill, general manager of London Overground, said: “I’m pleased that the Night Overground will closely follow the return of the Night Tube and deliver a huge boost to the night-time economy and help our customers get around during the busy pre-Christmas period.

“An extra safe, green and affordable transport option for those working late or enjoying London at night will help ensure that London’s recovery is strong and sustainable.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted we have managed to ensure that the Night Overground will be returning next month, linking up diverse and vibrant areas of London with all the nightlife they have to offer, just in time for the festive period.

“Coming only a few weeks after the return of the Victoria and Central Night Tube lines, this is another important milestone as London’s vibrant night-time economy continues its recovery from the pandemic.

“I am determined to make the capital as safe as possible for all Londoners, especially women and girls, and the return of the Night Overground will make a huge difference to those who are travelling home late at night, offering another quick, easy and safe way for people to travel around the city.”

The night service on the Overground runs from New Cross Gate to Highbury and Islington, via Canada Water, Shoreditch, and Dalston - calling at 13 stops in total.

There have been growing calls to reopen the Night Tube amid criticism from women over safety concerns, following the murders of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, with many Londoners reporting feeling unsafe walking in the dark, taking night buses or relying on Uber.

LondonWorld has reported on issues with ridesharing apps such as Uber and Bolt, with fares rising and Londoners struggling to get cabs.

It comes after over 150,000 people signed a petition calling for the return of the full night service.

TfL previously announced the four other Night Tube lines – Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly – will reopen "as soon as practicable".

A spokesperson for TfL said customer safety and security remained the operator’s top priorities, and that all stations along the route are staffed at all times while trains are running, with CCTV, modern lighting and help points available across the network.