The Tube (BBC)

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[edit] General Information

Technology Documentary hosted by Julian Barrett, published by BBC in 2012 - English narration

[edit] Cover

[edit] Information

The Tube A look behind the scenes of the London underground as it undergoes the biggest overhaul in its history, focusing on key members of staff and some of the problems they face. The series follows key members of the London Underground's 19,000-strong staff, from CEO Howard Collins through to the litter pickers who clear miles of track every night. Drivers, station staff and emergency response workers reveal their unique perspective on the travelling public. Capturing the tube in all its guises, from tourist transport to suburban commute, or the last train home for partygoers, this series also looks behind the scenes of the tube's ten billion pound upgrade - and how the process of dragging a Victorian infrastructure kicking and screaming into the 21st century doesn't always run on rails.

[edit] Weekend

In the last ten years, the average passenger numbers on the tube over the weekend have doubled. This is the story of how the tube copes with the public's changing expectations of the weekend - and the problems it faces during this time. In this episode, a major track replacement operation threatens to disrupt the weekday service, while at Leicester square a busy Saturday night sees a woman pushed on to the live tracks.

[edit] Revenue

Every day, 60,000 journeys are made and not paid for, costing London Underground £20 million a year in unpaid fares. The programme follows Diane McConnell and Denese Brunker, two of the Tube's longest-serving ticket inspectors, and other plain-clothes revenue inspectors as they pursue fare evaders across the network. Find what happens to the evaders and how the money from tickets is spent.

[edit] One Under

For Tube drivers, their worst fear is somebody jumping or falling in front of their train. We follow what happens when this fear becomes a distressing reality for two drivers. Also, we meet the crews of the Tube's specialised emergency response units as they are scrambled to deal with any eventuality on the Underground, from accidents and injuries to mysterious obstructions on the line. Plus how the Tube - and its dedicated British Transport Police officers - copes with the demands of the Notting Hill Carnival

[edit] Overcrowding

The number of passengers on the Tube has gone up by a third in the last ten years. David Waboso, London Underground's head of upgrades, thinks he has the answer. But new trains on the Victoria Line keep letting him down because of a problem with the doors - and a newly-installed signal fails, causing huge delays. At Tottenham Court Road station, supervisor Barry Griffiths is keeping the crowds moving - in the midst of huge rebuilding works making the station six times bigger. But will his customers be impressed with the results?

[edit] Rush Hour

Rush hour is the Tube's biggest test - but it can be too much for some passengers. Station Supervisor Bob Weedon at Bank has to deal with five injuries and faintings in a row during one rush hour crush. Chief operating officer Howard Collins must muck in when a power failure on the Jubilee Line threatens to disrupt the evening peak. And the Tube's most unusual employee, a hawk called Toyah, is put to work on pigeon patrol.

[edit] Maintenance

Every night, 10,000 workers descend on the Tube to maintain, repair and clean it. We follow this invisible overnight army as they work against the clock in the four-hour window when the power is off - from hard-working Bulgarian cleaner Vladimir, who is amazed that the British government pays for people not to work, to 23-year-old Harry leading his gang of 'fluffers' picking fibres and lint from the tracks. Meanwhile, pest controller Mick is called to a smelly problem at Hounslow Central, while emergency response worker Roy gets inside one of the Underground's disused 'ghost' stations, Down Street.