Transport for London (TfL) has laid out an extensive programme of upgrades and expansions for the capital's transport network in 2026. With the city's population growing and demand increasing, these multi-billion pound investments aim to enhance speed, capacity, and the overall passenger experience, supporting the Mayor's goal of reducing private car use.
Major Tube and Rail Enhancements
The centrepiece of the rail improvements is the long-awaited introduction of new Piccadilly Line trains. TfL has invested £2.9billion in 94 modern, walk-through carriages featuring air-conditioning and CCTV, set to replace the ageing stock from 1973. Officials have confirmed that the first of these new trains are expected to enter service during the second half of 2026.
Accessibility remains a key focus. Following the recent completion of step-free access at Colindale station, work at Northolt station is due to finish in 2026. TfL has also shortlisted 17 stations for detailed feasibility studies to become step-free, though the omission of others has drawn criticism.
Meanwhile, the Four Lines Modernisation (4LM) project continues. The signalling upgrade on the District Line sections is scheduled for completion in 2026, a move designed to allow more reliable and frequent services on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines.
Connectivity and Outer London Travel
A significant quality-of-life improvement is on the horizon for Tube users: the widespread rollout of uninterrupted 4G and 5G mobile coverage. Currently limited to central zones, the coverage will expand in 2026 to include ticket halls, platforms, and tunnels across the Underground, as well as the DLR, Elizabeth Line, and the Windrush Line between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate.
For travel beyond the core, TfL is expanding its Superloop network of express bus routes in outer London. Two new routes are set to launch in 2026: the SL11 from Abbey Wood to North Greenwich and the SL12 from Gants Hill to Rainham. Consultations are also underway for three further proposed routes linking Ealing Broadway to Hendon, Stratford to Chingford Hatch, and Clapham Junction to Eltham.
Future Projects and Funding Appeals
Looking further ahead, TfL will push forward in 2026 with its application for powers to build the DLR extension to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside. This project, which received backing in the recent Government budget, could see construction start as early as 2027, with an opening date in the early 2030s.
However, not all schemes secured funding. TfL has stated it will continue to lobby the Government for financial support for two major projects: the West London Orbital railway line and the Bakerloo Line Tube extension.
A TfL spokesperson emphasised the broader economic impact, stating the agreed funding "will ensure that London’s transport network can continue to support new homes and jobs," with nearly a third of its supply chain spend benefiting areas outside the capital.
