A newly launched interactive tool, dubbed 'Tube Tiers,' is allowing Londoners to voice their opinions on the city's extensive public transportation network, revealing commuter preferences for various underground lines and services. The tool, created by London-based technologist Rachel Black, uses a tier-list format where users can rank 19 different services from A* (top tier) to F (bottom tier).
At the time of its launch, the Elizabeth Line was leading as the most popular service, currently holding the sole position in the A* tier. No services had yet reached the A tier. The Jubilee and Victoria lines were ranked in the B tier. Several lines, including the London Overground, DLR, District, Northern, Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Piccadilly, and Thameslink, were placed in the C tier.
Lower down the rankings, the Bakerloo, Central, and Waterloo & City lines, along with the Uber Boat service, were in the D tier. The E tier included Trams, the Cable Car, and the Heathrow Express. As of the tool's early data collection, no services had been relegated to the F category.
Black shared her creation on X, noting the strong opinions Londoners hold regarding their transport. Users can visit the Tube Tiers website to view the community rankings, which update frequently, or contribute their own rankings by dragging and dropping services into preferred tiers. After submitting their rankings, users can add their name or a nickname.
The tool has quickly gained traction on social media, sparking discussions among users. Comments on X ranged from surprise at certain lines' placements, such as the Northern line's high ranking, to bewilderment at others, like the DLR's low position. Some users, even from outside London, expressed their engagement with the concept, with one noting the tier list as a quintessentially London creation.