Evening Standard Sorry Tube Ads

You've probably seen these "Sorry" ads on the London Underground recently. They certainly stand out to commuters by apologising for various things - including negativity, complacency, predictability and taking people for granted.


Well, they herald the launch of a new Evening Standard next week. Whether we'll see much change from the paper often called the Evening Substandard remains to be seen, but it's an interesting approach.

Wonder if we'll see other advertisers taking a similar approach? The London Underground itself often has temporary posters up with apologies for delays on certain lines. Perhaps they could take a leaf out of the Standard's book & do a longer term campaign. Sorry for being overcrowded. Sorry for being underfunded. Sorry for being hot. Sorry for being in need of repair. The ads could go on and on!

Northern Line via Google Street View

If you've ever wondered what an entire journey on the Northern Line looks like from street level, wonder no more as Ian Buchan has put together a short video. Using Google Street View he charts a trip from Morden to Edgware (via Charing Cross) taking in every London Underground Station. It's a sharper view if you watch in HQ.


He's also written a fun song about finding love on the Northern Line to go along with it. What is it about the Northern Line that's leads people to think it's romantic? Remember the Northern Line love song by Schmoof. Perhaps because it's got the Tube's hottest commuters!


Of the overground video Ian said "I think it's the first time anyone's done anything vaguely creative with Google Street View, and I'm really pleased with the results."

Thanks to Ianvisits as well who also spotted the video.

Jubilee Line Birthday celebrations

The Jubilee Line was thirty years old on the 1st May. It was officially opened by Prince Charles on the 30th April 1979 - but passengers only travelled on the next day. I'm looking forward for CrossRail to open as it's probably the only other chance we'll get to see a royal standing awkwardly in a Tube carriage.


There will be a series of charity fundraising days from the 12th May to mark Jubilee Line turning 30.

Boris Johnson said "The Jubilee Line and everyone connected to it over the last thirty years deserve plaudits for the huge amount of work they have put in to getting Londoners around our city as quickly and as safely as possible. However it is paramount that during its anniversary year the line receives the massive upgrade that is underway. I appreciate the patience regular passengers have shown as this huge investment takes place. They should be assured that by the end of the year the Jubilee Line will be in a position to offer even better services."

Another chance to win an Acer with BT Myplace

So happy were BT MyPlace with number of entries coming from this blog in a competition a while back, the generous people there have decided to give you the chance to win another Aspire netbook.


So you may have seen the on the London Underground about shrinking the city. They're all for a new "pocket concierge" service from BT, called BT Myplace. It's a free WiFi enabled directory in Westminster, so if you register your personal preferences (including favourite grub, hobbies, type of shops), you can find nearby recommendations based on those favourites and their location.

They want to know your recommendations for the best greasy spoon. Best public loo was also an option, but as there aren't that many on the Tube, I thought you'd be better off suggesting good cafes. All you have to do is register with BT MyPlace, which will take you to the competitions page, click "Enter" next to My Secret Westminster, and follow the instructions to get to the "Best Greasy Spoon" category, give your suggestion and why you believe it's the best.

By "Greasy Spoon" they mean best independent cafe, so no chains. Entries must be made before midnight on 7th May 2009, so get in quickly.

BT MyPlace will pick the winner and I'll announce who the lucky person is as soon as I know it. The best entries will also be profiled on BT MyPlace.com.

Good luck with the competition and congrats to Philip Feriss who was the lucky winner of the last Acer Aspire Netbook & a few other goodies.

Lily Allen's Tube Themed Gig

Lily Allen is going to have a secret London gig on May 11th with a London Underground theme. She said "To give the gig an extra layer of excitement I'm asking fans to dress as London Tube stations - but they won't know exactly where I'll be performing until the day."

The Sun made the easy quip & wrote "I wander (sic) what beer-swigging Lily will go as?

(Cock) Fosters perhaps?"


But I think that's too obvious. When she was in her beehive hairstyle days, she could have gone as High Barnet (although maybe she'll leave that for Amy Winehouse).

I wonder what her other musical & celebrity mates will go as? If she's friends with the Beckhams, Mrs Beckham could just go as herself. As could All Saints. Beth Ditto could be Wapping. There's an outfit for Russell Brand if he decided to dress a bit more soberly. The former Mayor could carry some weights and go as a station on the Bakerloo Line.

I'm sure the scope is endless. If you have any ideas for costumes or famous people you'd like to see dressed up as appropriate Tube stations, please let us know in the comments.