What Does It Take To Become A London Underground Driver? | The Tube

Trainee driver Terrance handles a train for the first time, and 60 year old Keith does it for the last.
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In this series we go behind the scenes to tell the story of some of the dedicated and colourful characters who work for London Underground, doing a difficult job under often challenging and stressful circumstances.
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[@Hurricane96]

Im sure when Keith retired everyone was happy that they moved up one place in the seniority

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

Congratulations to Kieth and Terence.

[@filipplayz8772]

Keith sadly died in november 2023, may he rest in peace

[@symy92]

Would love to know what happened to Terrance now that it is ten years later. He seems like such a sweet young man. I hope he is still happily driving tube trains.

[@Chewscore]

He seems to be driving for London Overground after inspection on the interwebs.

[@jasonday7378]

I live in Epping and I can’t believe how long this old train has been in the sidings for now!! It’s also got a signal cabin next to it

[@Tube-Shots]

Great video sure I seen it on TV many years back

[@WilliamDavidKirbyUK]

Many conratulations to Keith, I am sure you will have driven me on more than one occasion- Chesham and Amersham passengenr for many years 1980 - 2000 and beyond. Fast Baker Street Train? I should be so lucky! Thank you Keith you are amazing

[@owenbuddery3441]

Just before the 2009 stock train came to the Victoria line S07 stock came to the Circle District & the Hammersmith & City line & the S08 came to the Metropolitan line

[@MrBluebirds22]

S7 stock was introduced in 2012. S8 stock was introduced in 2010.

[@sg7772]

Interesting

[@davidsmith8728]

What does it take ??? Well, first of all, you have to have a relative already working for TfL because it is a closed-shop. Then you will be paid £60,000 per year thereabouts for sitting in a cab pressing a few buttons and pushing a lever. Compare this with driving an artic lorry where you actually have to steer it and negotiate other vehicles and obstructions on the road.

[@jamesbond3w]

Damn I so early for this.

[@forrest.0569]

4:58 HUUUHHHHHHH

[@memyself1566]

Nice!

[@Certiwhipps]

how do you actually become one?

[@jasonday7378]

I wonder what Keith is up to now

[@maalintv8042]

all the air disaster videos are gone

[@andrewallen9993]

Knowing the right people.

[@theunknown1st307]

I thought there was 11 Lines

[@samanthaschnetzler7812]

There were 11 UNDERGROUND lines There were 4 non-underground lines

[@MrBluebirds22]

There are now, used to be 12 when the East London Line was part of the Underground.

[@Viewer-discretion-is-advised7]

I would like to be given the opportunity to learn and do this job I need a better paying job and been a van driver for years. Wish they would put it out to British workers rather then giving it to people from half way across the globe.

[@stephthestar90]

If you want to drive tube trains you have to spend some time as station staff. TFL only recruit Underground drivers internally. You could always try a mainline railway or even the Overground or new Crossfail (Elizabeth Line)

[@kamkam22100]

RIP terence mcubica

[@seancalasara2345]

What. He ded?

[@JulianShagworthy]

Don't talk fucking daft mate, he's not dead.

[@Yeggman]

Hello Sir, do you need any medical assistance, as you are so negative, bitter and have an obviously racist attitude.

[@melissanaple8894]

How

[@IC-qf7ev]

source?

[@qolspony]

I see the driver is also the conductor. There trains must be significantly shorter than NYC subway.

[@DanielLamando]

I believe this is the case for many metro systems; the subways I've been on (mostly in Germany) generally just have the person in the cab, unless there's a teacher standing behind them. Or sometimes the system is fully automated with zero crew on-board. Does NYC only have the motorman/conductor split due to train length, or it is more about age of the equipment? My local system has a train length around 100 meters or so

[@MrBluebirds22]

Most of the lines (Deep Level Tube) are probably around half of the longest NYC subway trains. But the Sub-Surface Lines are 7 or 8 cars. The new Elizabeth Line is 9 cars in length, with just a driver.

[@qolspony]

@@MrBluebirds22 Thank you for the info.

[@qolspony]

@@DanielLamando Thank you for the information.

[@codeclash6759]

@@DanielLamando NYC trains range from 228.6 meters in length to 156.5 meters. Single-person operation is possible, but the Unions have not allowed it as it would put many people out of a job. Some of the newer trains on the 7 line use a similar system to the Victoria line with ATO (automatic train operation), the oldest trains were first introduced in 1975, while the newest ones we introduced in 2014 (or if you want to count 30 day revenue tests, the newest was introduced in 2023).

[@okboomer6201]

Fourteen killed in the wreck 🤪

[@jhemnes1]

He doesn't seem very confident.

[@memyself1566]

He is from Zambia - whatever next? Are there no British people/English people who could do the job?

[@thedave7760]

@@memyself1566 Boxes must be ticked.

[@memyself1566]

@@thedave7760 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@Around-The-Verse]

Fools have confidence, wise one will get it from experience

[@Yeggman]

Who is really confident in the beginning, "fake it till you make it" people are more of a risk factor than better performers in the long run. Everyone starts from scratch and builds up experience over time. On the other hand, a lot of experience does not prevent mistakes from being made.

[@raymondbonington9355]

What it takes these days is not to be a white bloke .

[@costaschris1901]

Tube drivers are so selfish and greedy for a easy lazy job always on strike

[@themightywhoosh123]

Bore off mate