Ever wondered just how many people can fit into a London Underground tube train? Nope? Bet you are now!

It’s a surprisingly difficult question to answer, especially if you ponder how many people can stand, and just how close they stand to each other.

But more interesting is the ratio of standing to sitting. Which line offers you a greater chance of a seat?

How do the new Elizabeth line trains, which were recently shown off to many comments about the lack of seating compare to the rest of the tube network?

Line Stock Carriages Total Capacity Seating Standing Victoria 2009 8 986 252 734 74% Bakerloo 1972 7 847 264 583 69% Piccadilly 1973 6 798 228 570 71% Central 1992 8 1,047 272 775 74% Waterloo & City 1992 4 506 136 370 73% Northern 1995 6 800 248 552 69% Jubilee 1996 7 964 234 730 76% District D Stock 6 965 280 685 71% S Stock 7 1,034 256 778 75% Circle / H&C S Stock 7 1,034 256 778 75% Metropolitan S Stock 8 1,159 306 853 74% Elizabeth Class 345 9 1,500 450 1,050 70%

Note, for standing capacity, I have erred towards the lower of the three available figures to allow for luggage, elbows, inconsiderate sods not moving down the carriage, etc.

Maximum observed standing capacity (5 customers per m2) <– used

Maximum full load standing capacity (6 customers per m2)

Theoretical crush standing capacity (7 customers per m2)

Sources:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/journey_demand_and_service_suppl

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/cy/request/307547/response/749619/attach/html/3/Rolling%20Stock%20Data%20Sheet%20for%202009%20Victoria%20Line%20Stock.pdf.html