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London's transport systems are what keeps the city ticking. Being such a busy city, driving is not an option for many people, so they instead rely on public transport.

The London Underground , buses, the Croydon tram, and TfL Rail all fall under the ownership of Transport for London.

With technology and demand changing all the time, there's always improvements to be made on London's transport network.

So what's going to happen in 2020?

Crossrail developments

As you may know, the Crossrail project has become notorious for not completing things by their deadlines.

The entire project has been pushed back multiple times.

So whether it's plans for 2020 will actually happen, we don't know.

It definitely hopes to have the central section of the line, except for Bond Street and Whitechapel stations, completed by the end of 2020. The central section of the line will not be fully completed in 2020, as was originally planned.

The Trial Running stage of the project is also expected to begin at the earliest possible point this year, to test the safety of the trains and new line. There will then be testing of the operational railway.

4G on the Tube

One of the big ones!

From March 2020 4G will start being enabled across the London Underground network.

It means people will be able to make calls and go online anywhere on the Tube, including when the train is zooming through tunnels.

The Jubilee Line will be the first to get 4G, with the eastern part of the line getting 4G connectivity from March both in tunnels and on platforms.

It will then roll out across all lines over the next few years.

Currently the London Underground only has WiFi on platforms, so it will make a big difference.

Bakerloo line extension decisions

TfL is analysing feedback on their proposed Bakerloo Line extension in 2020.

The plan is to extend the Bakerloo Line from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, initially, via two stations on Old Kent Road and a new station at New Cross Gate.

There are also potential plans to extend it further to Hayes and Beckenham Junction.

These plans were put to the public in 2019 for feedback, so we'll hear all about what everyone said this year, and hopefully see the project develop further.

(Image: TfL)

Changes to the Low Emissions Zone

From October 26 2020 the TfL Lower Emissions Zone (LEZ) standards will be tougher for heavier vehicles.

Currently the zone has a limit for how much particulate matter a vehicle can emit but from October there will also be a limit on nitrogen oxides for some vehicles.

The types of vehicles that will be affected by the tougher standards include lorries, vans, motorised horse boxes, coaches and road sweepers, to name a few.

Vehicles that do not meet the LEZ standards have to pay a daily charge.

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Buses

A big change is coming to London's bus system this year - particularly for the areas that have the Boris Bus.

From early in 2020, Londoners will no longer be allowed to board the bus anywhere it has doors (front, middle and back).

Due to some dishonest people fare dodging, you will now only be allowed to board at the front of the bus, so the driver can check you have paid.

Got a story? Get in touch via lucy.skoulding@reachplc.com