Boris Johnson: Overnight tube 'vital' for London

London Underground is to cut 750 jobs under plans which include a new 24-hour Tube service at weekends and changes to station staffing. 

A series of initiatives were announced, including contactless bank card payment technology from next year, extended Wi-Fi coverage at underground stations, improved ticket machines, and staff based in ticket halls and on platforms rather than in ticket offices. 

All Tube stations will continue to be staffed, and billions of pounds of investment will continue, said Mayor Boris Johnson. 

But the plans will also lead to to a reduction of around 750 jobs out of LU's current total of 18,000, which includes 5,500 station staff. 

The plans will deliver savings of around £50 million a year, or £270 million over the term of Transport for London's business plan to 2020/21. 

Mr Johnson said: "It is time to take the Tube to the next level and so for the first time in London's history, we will provide a regular 24-hour Night Tube service at weekends. This will not just boost jobs and our vibrant night-time economy, it will further cement London's reputation as the best big city on the planet to in which to live, work, visit and invest." 

LU said that from 2015 travellers will be able to take the Tube home at any hour of the night on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Weekend services will run through the night on core parts of the system, initially the Piccadilly, Victoria, Central and Jubilee lines and parts of the Northern line.