More than 50,000 people took advantage of London's Night Tube service when it launched early on Saturday morning.

Oxford Circus was one of the busiest stations, with 6,500 people entering, while 4,250 people exited at Stratford, said Transport for London (TfL).

The overnight trains are currently limited to the Central and Victoria lines on Friday and Saturday night.

By the end of the year, the service will also include the Northern, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines.

As London Mayor Sadiq Khan boarded the first train on the Victoria line, there were cheers down the carriage.


"It's fantastic news. It'll benefit our economy so much. Industry experts think it'll support thousands of jobs and bring millions into our economy," said Mr Khan.

The first night seemed to get going without a hitch. The trains were fairly quiet, and despite cleaners preparing for the worst, passengers were well-behaved.

Those on board the first Night Tube welcomed the new service.

Image: Sadiq Khan and other travellers descend into Brixton Station after 12.30am

"It's a great idea, London claims to be a 24-hour city, and this means it really is. You can have a night out and not worry about having to get the last tube," one passenger said.

Another added: "I work in the theatre. The hours are sometimes a bit strange and quite late, so this will really help me."

He's not the only one. There are thought to be over 700,000 night workers in London, from nurses and doctors, to security guards and bar staff.

TfL estimates 200,000 people will use the Night Tube every weekend once it's fully under way.

Bitter disputes with the unions mean the Night Tube is nearly a year late.

Business groups say it's long overdue.

The Night Tube Arrives In London

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers represents many big bar chains.

Chief executive Kate Nicholls told Sky News: "It's hard in the current economic circumstances post-Brexit.

"And it's hard to estimate the benefits this will bring, not just to our customers, but also to our staff who can now safely get home."

An extra 100 police officers will be deployed on the underground to support the new service both on the trains and at stations.

It's costing millions to implement, but could easily pay off.

London First, a group representing businesses, estimates it could add £77m a year to the city's night-time economy by 2029.