2020 has been a year like no other, when it comes to transport writing. But there is one thing that doesn't change: It is time for the London Reconnections Christmas Quiz!
The year 2020 has also been one in which few articles have been written and even fewer posted on our website. We have always tried to set ourselves a high bar for what we publish. Because we believe that the desire to write something should never outweigh the answer to the question: "Is this actually useful or important?"
For much of 2020, the answer to the latter question has been 'no'. Our business is to try and accurately predict where transport development in London is going, or to write about what it is doing. More importantly, to do so in depth, and after consultation (official or unofficial) with those directly involved.
COVID-19 has created a situation where, within reason, no-one can easily predict what will happen in the mid- to long-term on London transport and beyond. Crossrail 2 is likely a project lost to the winds for now, but what of the Bakerloo Line extension? Crossrail will open, but by our count it has now led to an extra £3bn worth of debt sitting on London's accounts. How will that affect future transport spending? Will the modal shift that COVID-19 provoked (and the shift to more homeworking) be a long-term thing? How does this affect the looming risk of peak capacity (and thus capacity investment) on the Tube?
We do not know the answers to these questions. We have some ideas, based on our knowledge, experience and relationships, but it is far too early to tell. Indeed we recommend you distrust anyone who claims they can do so.
All these things, along with the inevitable consequences of Brexit, will make 2021 an interesting year for London. 'Interesting times' perhaps, in the Chinese proverbial (and thus foreboding) sense. And as these things become clearer, you will hear more from us once again. We look forward to writing about both the good and the bad, and we do not doubt that 2021 will bring plenty of both.
In the meantime, however, there is one thing we can bring you. And that is the London Reconnections Christmas Quiz. No prizes this year, as we've deliberately made it a little bit simpler (we think!) This is because 2020 has been a rough year for lots of people - both those who keep London moving, and those who move through it. So we felt it would be nice to make it a bit more shareable and beatable, just this once, so that more people could get involved!
You are still welcome to send in your answers, and we will publish (with approval) the names of those who do well. If sent in, much reach us by 23:59 on December 31st and we will attempt to supply the answer at 00:01 on January 1st.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the quiz. And remember that although we have not been able to be with you as much online, or in the pub, as we'd have liked (and expected) this year, we are always with you in spirit. If you ever feel alone in lockdown, as you fuss over your train set (digital or physical) then just imagine us leaning over your shoulder and whispering:
"That dive-under is going to give you capacity problems later..."
And now onto the questions!
Question 1
With COVID-19 there have not been many changes to service patterns. We were therefore disappointed this year not to find any of the Train Operating Companies providing line diagram with errors.
Fortunately, these murals advertising the North Downs Way have appeared at various stations.
a) Which station, arguably one the most useful for visiting the North Downs Way, has been unaccountably omitted from the line diagrams?
b) Which station has not been given its full name thus possibly suggesting it is closer to the North Downs Way than it actually is ?
c) This part of question 1 was inspired by an unexpected correct answer to a previous year's quiz question. What is the name of the former steam locomotive that was named after a feature of the North Downs ?
Question 2
The article below came from that ever-reliable source of information (cough), the mylondon website. The original version can be read here. It is about the result of a survey concerning face covering wearing on various Underground lines.
For what reason would one strongly suspect the survey referenced was unreliable or, put more bluntly, simply made up?
Almost half of passengers on one London Tube line do not wear a face mask when travelling, new data has revealed. A study by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts found that Circle line passengers are least likely to wear a mask, as 48 per cent admit they do not always wear one. It is closely followed by the Hammersmith & City line (44 per cent) and Waterloo & City Line (43 per cent).
The Metropolitan line has the highest number of mask wearers, with 73 per cent of passengers always wearing a face covering.
Londoners are generally good at wearing face masks on public transport - 72 per cent say they always wear a covering while travelling. This compares to just 46 per cent in Manchester, and 85 per cent in Leeds.
One of the top reasons given by Brits for not wearing a mask is valid health reasons at 34 per cent. However, one in 10 Londoners say they just forgot to bring a mask, and one in 20 refuse to wear one because they don’t think masks make a difference. The data also suggests that 18 to 24 year olds are the least likely to wear a mask, with 49 per cent reporting that they don’t always wear a face covering, and men are more likely to wear a mask than women.
Keith Hawes, Director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, said:
“Government advice suggests we limit our use of public transport unless it’s absolutely essential. We’re also told to try and avoid peak times, only travelling when transport is quiet to allow for social distancing.
"If you have to travel to work, or have other essential journeys to take, it seems driving may be the safest option at the moment."
Question 3
Whilst 2020 has seen some milestones finally being met by Crossrail, the opening date of the Elizabeth line seems as far away at the end of this year as it was at the beginning of this year. However, one infrastructure objective of Crossrail was achieved in 2020 many years before expected. Indeed, it was planned to happen so far in the future that a date has never been mentioned as to when it might happen. What objective was this that was achieved in 2020?
Question 4
One of the notable events of 2020 was that of Donald Trump not being re-elected as president. In 2016 it was clear on the day after the election that he would be president.
a) Why might senior management at TfL have had other things on their mind when the result of the USA 2016 election came through ?
b) As a consequence of a), something which had already been delayed was supposed to take place in 2020. It is now scheduled for 2021 – by which time it will probably be largely irrelevant. What is this?
Question 5
As a result of Covid-19, one National Rail station had no London Overground service at all for a number of months. Which station was that?
Question 6
a) Boris Johnson, the prime minister, performed a number of U-turns as prime minister as a result of Covid-19. Most notable was the declaration that there would not be a second national lockdown. Many Londoners would not have been surprised as his tenure of Mayor of London also saw some significant U-turns. What transport-related proposal did Boris Johnson declare as Mayoral candidate he would not do only to go ahead and do it when Mayor?
b) To sweeten the above about-face, Boris Johnson linked the change in policy to a new initiative which was eventually implemented, something that was abruptly suspended once the country went into lockdown. What was this initiative?
Question 7
TfL nearly went 'bankrupt' a couple of times in 2020 before the government agreed funding packages at the last moment. This scenario would have led to various problems for passengers because TfL has only a few strictly defined statutory duties that it must undertake. Surprisingly, TfL is not obliged to run any specific passenger services - with a single exception. What is the only passenger service TfL is legally obliged to run?
Question 8
a) As a result of Covid-19, what can you now do at almost all stations (Underground, DLR and National Rail) that you could not do at the start of the year?
b) Allegedly as a result of Covid-19, what could you have done at any London Underground or DLR station at the start of the year but can now only do at 72 of them ?
Question 9
Network Rail had planned to finally decommission London Bridge Signal Box in 2020. Control was planned to be passed to the regional operating centre (ROC) at Three Bridges.
a) What specific part of the Covid 'guidelines', that employers must adhere to, resulted in the postponement of this closure ?
b) In what way was it impossible to adhere to this 'guideline' within the time allowed for closure and subsequent transfer of control to Three Bridges ?
Question 10
One of the early consequences of COVID-19 and lockdown was that train operating companies (TOCs) were effectively re-nationalised. As it was clear that they could not continue to exist in any viable way. The government then offered the TOCs a contract with the government paying the fares and the companies billing the government for the cost of providing a service and making a very small profit. So, in general, it has not been a good year for train operating companies.
Which 'train company' (in the loosest sense of the phrase) reported having an exceptionally profitable year as a result of COVID-19?
And now some non-Covid questions:
Question 11
In 2020, what went from 7 to 9 then to 7 again then to 9 again?
Question 12
a) If living in London and deciding to watch the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in 2021 in person, why will it probably cost more in fares to do so than it usually would?
b) what specific non-Covid restriction has led to the situation described in a) ?
Question 13
Tube stock ultimately remains the responsibility of the Mayor of London until sold off or scrapped. This responsibility is normally delegated to TfL.
This picture shows a tube carriage that is the responsibility of the Mayor but is not the responsibility of TfL. Further more it is not located in the London (GLA) area.
a) Where is it (nearest town will do)?
b) What is it used for ?
Question 14
This is a picture of a new road sign that appeared in 2020 on one of the streets of London.
a) Which road or street does this sign apply to?
b) Could you legally drive a coach and horses along this road? (This is not a trick question and has a simple 'Yes' or 'No' answer).
Question 15
Which station, and which platform, is this?
Question 16
Within zones 1-6, which National Rail stations have a platform 2 but no platform 1? For clarity, to not have a platform 1 it must either have no platform advertised as 1 or 1a or 1b, or, if it has, then it must be officially designated as (permanently) 'out of use'. We will rely on the maps on the OpenTrainTimes website if there is any dispute as to what constitutes 'out of use'.
So stations like Purley do have a platform 1, even though it is normally locked out of use and Elmers End also has a platform 1, even though it is used by trams and not trains.
We believe there are four valid answers, but you may prove us wrong.
Question 17
TfL has always had a policy of not providing toilets on trains and providing facilities at stations instead. So which passenger rolling stock, formerly run by TfL, had toilets aboard when it was operated by TfL?
Question 18
She started her career in Wales, before moving to London Transport. In recent years, she has been working in Devon, but finally moved back to Wales again last March.
Can you name her?
Question 19
Where is, or rather was, this?
a) Name the geographical location
b) Name the non-rail public transport pictured
Question 20
And finally, an extra special question for some of our Knowledgeable friends who we know have been struggling:
On Christmas day in 1933, a man died at his home in Hammersmith. Not up Hendon way, as many had always assumed. He was 64.
a) What was his name?
b) What singular fame could this man claim?
A very merry Christmas to you all, and here's to more articles in 2021. It is shaping up to be a very interesting year indeed...
The LR Team
December, 2020
