Virgin Media has promised to hook up no less than 80 London Underground tube platforms by the end of July, so you’ll soon be able to surf while you wait for the train.
There’s no wi-fi on the actual trains themselves, so you’ll only be able to take advantage of the connection when you’re within range of the station base platforms.
The full list includes of stations includes all the expected central London suspects like Oxford Circus, Euston and Victoria, along with a few lesser known stops thrown into the mix, and some stations close to the Olympic site.
“The first stations include some of our busiest and most well-known destinations and we’re on-track for a successful launch this summer – all delivered at no additional cost to fare payers or tax payers,” purred Gareth Powell of London Underground, keen to big up the achievement.
The wi-fi will remain free for everyone over the summer. After that, only Virgin Media broadband and mobile subscribers will be able to get access, with a PAYG option for non-customers, although the travel info portal will still be available free for all.
Virgin Media say that around 120 stations will be hooked up by the end of the year, but here’s the list of stations coming online in the summer.
Aldgate East
Angel
Archway
Arsenal
Barbican
Bayswater
Bermondsey
Bethnal Green
Blackhorse Road
Borough
Brixton
Caledonian Road
Camden Town
Canada Water
Canary Wharf
Canning Town
Chancery Lane
Charing Cross
Clapham North
Covent Garden
Edgware Road (Circle)
Elephant & Castle
Embankment
Euston
Euston Square
Finsbury Park
Goodge Street
Green Park
Hammersmith (District/Picc)
Heathrow T1-3
Heathrow T4
High Street Kensington
Highbury & Islington
Holborn
Holland Park
Hyde Park Corner
Kentish Town Kings Cross/St Pancras
Lambeth North
Lancaster Gate
Leicester Square
Liverpool Street
London Bridge
Manor House
Mansion House
Marble Arch
Marylebone
Mile End
North Greenwich
Old Street
Oval
Oxford Circus
Paddington (Main)
Piccadilly Circus
Pimlico
Queensway
Regents Park
Seven Sisters
Southfields
Southwark
St James Park
St Johns Wood
St Paul’s
Stepney Green
Stockwell
Stratford
Swiss Cottage
Temple
Tottenham Hale
Tower Hill
Tufnell Park
Vauxhall
Victoria
Walthamstow Central
Warren Street
Warwick Avenue
Waterloo
Wembley Central
Wembley Park
West Ham
Wimbledon Park
Westminster
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I’m not actually convinced by this. When was the last time you spent any length of time actually in Brixton tube station? The high frequency of trains means you are rarely waiting long- unlike a national rail station. And on arrival most people would make their way straight up and onto the street surely?
Plus there is a mugging/pickpocket issue. I love Brixton but I’m sure you would agree the tube station is not really the place to be flashing expensive tech kit around. How long before someone is followed out the station, mugged round the corner with the mugger disappearing back into the crowds at the tube station.
As long as no taxpayers or fare money is used, then fairy nuff, but I can’t see many people wanting to pay for this….