London Underground’s new Night Tube service is set to be launched in August according to rail union ASLEF.
The rail union claims that Transport for London (TfL) have drawn up plans to roll out the new all-night service line by line.
When introduced, passengers will be able to travel through the night on Fridays and Saturdays on the Victoria and Jubilee lines in August and then on the Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines in September.
British Transport Police has revealed that a 50% rise in officers policing the night time service will be required, with 12 'red stations' named as likely areas where crime and antisocial behaviour will rise.
The agreement with rail unions ASLEF and RMT for the recruitment of part-time Tube drivers to deliver the new service, means that new recruits are now being trained and will reportedly be ready for duty by August.
ASLEF also say there has been a big surge in membership.
“The new drivers can see what having a strong trade union means for protecting pay and working conditions and whole groups have been joining up together”, said Finn Brennan, ASLEF's organiser on London Underground .
“The package the union has negotiated means they are guaranteed the same benefits as existing drivers and will be able to move to full time roles if they choose to.”
'London deserves a world-class public transport system'
The Night Tube was initially due to be launched in September last year, but firm opposition from unions set the launch back indefinitely.
Negotiations took 18 months to finally come to a conclusion, however TfL are still waiting for rail unions TSSA and Unite to accept the offer.
A TfL spokesperson told getwestlondon that one of the remaining rail unions looks set to decline the offer.
READ MORE:Noise disturbances from Night Tube could drive nearby residents to suicide
Finn Brennan continued: “We were always clear that we were in favour of Night Tube. A world-class capital city such as London deserves a world-class public transport system.
“We are really pleased that passengers will be able to enjoy an all-night service from August, operated under agreements that have improved conditions for existing drivers and created hundreds of new jobs, and new ASLEF members.”
Transport for London are still yet to make an official announcement and are still in talks with London Underground staff over Night Tube conditions.
A TfL spokesperson, said: "No date has yet been agreed for the launch of the Night Tube, but we are working hard to deliver it for London as quickly as possible."
