Tube chiefs urged to investigate ‘disgraceful’ network meltdown

Tube bosses were under pressure today to launch a full inquiry into why thousands of passengers were trapped in tunnels during two days of travel misery this week.

London Underground managing director Mike Brown was forced to apologise, and promised there would be an investigation into technical problems which saw 4,000 people stranded in the pitch dark during a power failure on Monday, and 800 more stuck in tunnels amid disruption yesterday.

About 2,000 people had to trek through tunnels to safety on Monday. Some claimed they were forced to pay afterwards by touching out with their Oyster cards.

Mr Brown said: "I know that having to walk along the track through a tunnel is distressing. It is not what our customers should have to expect and is something we always seek to avoid."

Mayor Boris Johnson could be forced to spearhead an investigation, after transport campaigners backed London Assembly members in calling the meltdown an "utter disgrace".

Caroline Pidgeon, deputy chairman of the Assembly's transport committee, said: "Apologies are simply not enough. People are paying ever higher fares and deserve a far better service.

"As the Mayor is chairman of Transport for London, he needs to come before the Assembly, explain why such a horrific situation has occurred and provide clear assurances as to how similar incidents will be avoided."

Committee chairman Val Shawcross said: "The Mayor needs to answer questions as to whether TfL is on top of its maintenance responsibilities."

Monday's Jubilee line power failure saw 2,000 passengers forced to walk for 20 minutes along the track between St John's Wood and Baker Street after being stranded for more than two hours. Three trains were stuck between Baker Street and St John's Wood, while a fourth was stranded at Swiss Cottage. A fifth was stalled at Westminster.

Yesterday's passengers were stranded because of a "defective" engine on the Victoria line between Seven Sisters and Finsbury Park stations. Jo de Bank, from passenger watchdog London TravelWatch, said: "It has been a terrible two days. TfL needs to explain what has happened."

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's transport adviser, said: "The Mayor and I share passengers' frustration and they deserve better. TfL is working hard to address the problems and will do its utmost to avoid further problems."

TfL said it would consider making "goodwill" payments to those who were trapped, and would deal with each claim on a "case by case" basis.

January 19, 2010
Circle line is shut as train crashes into scaffolding being stored at Aldgate station. No one injured. Hammersmith & City, District, and Metropolitan lines also suffer delays as a result.

April 23
Severe delays when staff at King's Cross twice cause fire alerts by letting toast burn. Passengers are evacuated from the station.

July 27
Two new £10 million trains break down with 3,000 passengers trapped in carriages at Pimlico. Another train stranded for an hour at Oxford Circus.

August 13
Disaster avoided by 40 seconds when runaway Tube train careers four miles through six stations on Northern line. A passenger train is ordered to move quickly and avoid stopping at stations to avert collision with the unmanned engineering train.

September 8
Major safety scare when a Tube train is sent into path of another train near Plaistow station. No collision after driver realises mistake.

October 6 & 7
Commuters suffer two days of travel chaos as 32 District line trains are removed from service when cracks are found in brackets which help pick up power from track.