TfL's Crumbling Underground Is Costing Londoners 800,000 Hours Every Week

The London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee published a damning report on 21 October 2026 into the state of Transport for London's ageing infrastructure. The committee found that TfL passengers are losing more than 800,000 hours every single week in 2026–27 due to delays caused by deteriorating assets, including tracks, rolling stock and signalling equipment. The renewal backlog across the network stands at approximately £6.5 billion, including a £3.2 billion track renewal backlog alone. Critically, 42% of Underground track has been classified as in 'very poor' condition, with a further 17% rated 'poor'. Even if funding arrived immediately, the committee estimated it would take over ten years to clear the backlog. Committee chairman Neil Garratt AM stated that 'deteriorating assets are making TfL services less reliable every year, leaving Londoners and visitors trying to get around the capital to suffer ever more stressful and uncertain journeys.' The committee called on TfL to publish a clear strategy to prevent the backlog from growing further and to include this in its 2027–28 budget submission, due in November.