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This week, experienced Tube commuters have expressed their anger about TfL's new new green platform markings.

The seemingly helpful green paintwork, which is on trial on the King's Cross Victoria line platform, is intended to reduce congestion by telling people where is best to stand.

However, seasoned passengers have complained that years of working out the optimum platform waiting spot have been ruined by the green lines - which they say spoil their "competitive advantage" by showing everyone where best to stand.

Tube novices can now instantly see exactly where to wait in order to be closest to the doors.

If you're a commuter that's looking to shave some time off your journey, luckily, there are still several handy shortcuts on the Underground that only a hardened commuter would know to take.

Here’s how to go off-piste and take on the system like a pro.

Sometimes, it’s quicker to walk

Don’t be fooled by the Tube map. Accomplished commuters will know that the geographically-distorted lines can take you on unnecessarily longer journeys, and often walking between station is actually quicker than changing trains.

For example, Covent Garden and Leicester Square are only a five-minute walk from one another, while Lancaster Gate to Paddington is a five-minute walk above ground, instead of a 15-minute Tube journey underground. Elsewhere, Knightsbridge to Sloane Square is a short 10-minute walk, as is Blackfriars to St Paul’s.

This alternative tube map will show you if a journey is worth hopping off the tube for.

Don’t walk the Green (Park) Mile

The ‘corridor of doom’ at Green Park - the seemingly never-ending interchange that connects the Victoria Line to the Piccadilly Line - can be avoided by going up the exit escalator to the ticket hall and then taking the route back down the next escalator to your desired line. Not only will it shave time off your journey, but you also won't get stuck in the human traffic jam at peak travel times.

There’s a secret tunnel to change lines at Leicester Square

...and it will save you about 300 metres of walking distance. Here’s how to find it: ignore the Northern Line signs and walk to the stairs directly at the end of the Piccadilly Line platform to change onto the Northern Line. It takes mere minutes, instead of having to schlep up and over the station using the signposted exits at the middle.

...and there’s another one at Piccadilly Circus

If you arrive via northbound Bakerloo Line, instead of following the signs for Piccadilly Line, use the 'secret' spiral staircase about halfway down the platform.

Download the Tube Exits app

Tube Exits handily gives you the inside track on how to get one-step ahead of your fellow commuters and get a speedy exit off the Tube. We reckon you could save around 10 minutes on the average journey during peak hour travel by plugging in your destination and getting the low-down on the carriages to stand in to reach your exit point.

Central Line Facts - In pictures 9 show all Central Line Facts - In pictures 1/9 Did you know that... In 1926, suicide pits were installed beneath tracks due to a rise in the numbers of passengers throwing themselves in front of trains. Rex 2/9 Did you know that... In 1909, Selfridges campaigned to change the name of Bond Street Station to ‘Selfridges’. It was unsuccessful. Hulton Archive/Getty Images 3/9 Did you know that... In 2001 the Underground introduced a fragrance called ‘Madeleine’ to three stations. It was discontinued the next day, after passengers complained of feeling ill. Rex 4/9 Did you know that... One of the first passengers on the Central line was Mark Twain, in 1900. Ernest H. Mills/Getty Image 5/9 Did you know that... During WW2 the Central line housed an aircraft factory, based between Newbury Park and Leytonstone. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 6/9 Did you know that... For years, the Greenford Station on the Central line was home to the Underground’s last remaining wooden escalator (it was replaced last year). Wooden escalators were largely replaced after the King’s Cross fire of 1987. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 7/9 Did you know that... When it opened in July 1900, the line was known as the Central London Railway. The line was soon nicknamed the "Twopenny Tube" because it charged a flat fare. Topical Press Agency/Getty Images 8/9 Did you know that... The Central line tunnels twists and turns more than other Underground lines because it actually follows the street pattern of Medieval London 9/9 Did you know that... The Central line is easily the longest route on the London Underground. From West Ruislip to Epping stations, the line length is 46 miles. Flickr/ㇹヮィㇳ 1/9 Did you know that... In 1926, suicide pits were installed beneath tracks due to a rise in the numbers of passengers throwing themselves in front of trains. Rex 2/9 Did you know that... In 1909, Selfridges campaigned to change the name of Bond Street Station to ‘Selfridges’. It was unsuccessful. Hulton Archive/Getty Images 3/9 Did you know that... In 2001 the Underground introduced a fragrance called ‘Madeleine’ to three stations. It was discontinued the next day, after passengers complained of feeling ill. Rex 4/9 Did you know that... One of the first passengers on the Central line was Mark Twain, in 1900. Ernest H. Mills/Getty Image 5/9 Did you know that... During WW2 the Central line housed an aircraft factory, based between Newbury Park and Leytonstone. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 6/9 Did you know that... For years, the Greenford Station on the Central line was home to the Underground’s last remaining wooden escalator (it was replaced last year). Wooden escalators were largely replaced after the King’s Cross fire of 1987. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 7/9 Did you know that... When it opened in July 1900, the line was known as the Central London Railway. The line was soon nicknamed the "Twopenny Tube" because it charged a flat fare. Topical Press Agency/Getty Images 8/9 Did you know that... The Central line tunnels twists and turns more than other Underground lines because it actually follows the street pattern of Medieval London 9/9 Did you know that... The Central line is easily the longest route on the London Underground. From West Ruislip to Epping stations, the line length is 46 miles. Flickr/ㇹヮィㇳ

Know where to stand during rush hour

The yellow paint that’s worn on the platform safety lines? That’s where the doors for each carriage open.

Avoid the stairs at Covent Garden

Because no matter how mentally and physically prepared you think you are, they'll always defeat you.

If your commute doesn't appear above, don't worry, there are plenty more shortcuts to be found across the entire network.

Now you know the secrets of the London Underground hack, set your alarm twenty-minutes earlier and try to find the hidden shortcuts in your local station. Just make sure you don't tell everyone else...