In response to a written question from Reform UK’s London Assembly member Alex Wilson, Sadiq Khan said implementing driverless trains would cost billions per line in addition to other upgrades and maintenance costs.
Transport for London (TfL) has instead focused on upgrading existing digital signalling, providing structural maintenance and replacing existing stock – such as with the Piccadilly line.
These new trains will enter service on the Piccadilly line by the end of 2025, with the full fleet of 94 trains expected to be completely rolled out by the end of 2027.
The new trains will feature walk-through carriages, wider doorways, information screens, CCTV cameras and air-conditioning.
Driverless trains have also faced backlash in the past from unions, including the RMT, over concerns that their implementation could threaten job security.
London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “As part of the extraordinary funding settlements provided to TfL by the previous government as a result of the pandemic, one of the conditions was to consider the feasibility and business case for driverless trains.
“Led by the Department for Transport, with TfL technical input, the work concluded that the introduction of driverless trains would cost billions of pounds on each line.
“Learning from other metros around the world, particularly Paris which provided input into the work, the most practicable way of conversion would be for it to coincide with the introduction of new rolling stock, signalling and platform edge doors at the same time as part of a line upgrade.
“This would be needed to justify the high costs. On that basis it was agreed the work shouldn’t be progressed any further.”
