Hundreds gather to be among first passengers on new Elizabeth Tube Line
Hundreds of people gathered in central London on Tuesday morning in an attempt to be among the first passengers on the new Elizabeth Tube line.
Transport enthusiasts hailed the “momentous occasion”, having travelled from across the country for the ceremony and queued from the early hours of the morning.
Around 300 people queued outside Paddington Station ahead of the service’s opening at 6.30am, and the crowd cheered and rushed forwards when the doors opened at around 6.20am.
Colin Kelso, 18, travelled down from Glasgow for the event and wore a hoody emblazoned with “Purple train” on the front, in a nod to the line’s colour scheme.
He told the PA news agency: “I want to get on the first train.
London mayor Sadiq Khan, who also travelled on the first train, said: “It’s a landmark day.
“I’m excited. I’m like the little boy before Christmas.”
He said the Elizabeth line is a “game-changer” that will “transform our city”.
Another passenger, Hakim Colclough, 24, from Chessington, Surrey, said: “This is a momentous occasion.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
He said: “It’s history. It’s about time there were trains right through London without changing to the Underground.
“I’m very excited. We’ve been waiting long enough for it.
“It’s a great achievement.”