Merry Christmas all. I need to start this post by explaining why I have been a bit quiet in recent months. I have recently moved flats, however I am still living in London, and I have just been too preoccupied to keep up with regular posts. I have exciting things planned for 2020 which I will share just before the end of the year. Whether you are celebrating Christmas or not, I hope you are enjoying the festive period.
If you follow me on Twitter, if not you should (@TubeSpottingDan), you will know that I often run a weekend quiz. One question earlier in the year that stumped a few people was "What was the only TfL 'transport unit' to operate services on Christmas Day 2018?" The answer will be revealed in the blog post.
Once again, there will be no London Underground services running on Christmas Day 2019. The tube has not always been closed on Christmas Day, a service ran on 25 December until as recently as the 1980s. There are many accounts of the London Underground running a Sunday service or reduced services on Christmas Day, often closing around 4pm. There will also be no services on the Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, TfL Rail or any other National Rail in Great Britain on Christmas Day. On 25 December 1979 the only rail services to run in Great Britain was a local service in Glasgow, however, since then there has been no passenger rail services on Christmas Day. 
In London there will also be no services on the buses, Trams, river services or the Emirates Air Line. Some tourist river cruise boats may still run on Christmas Day, however, as these do not fall under TfL's control, the only TfL 'transport unit' to operate services on Christmas Day is Santander Cycles. Last Christmas Day over 35,000 traveled around the city using a Santander Cycle. This a slight peak in user ship from the average ridership figure of 28,500. The scheme launched in July 2010 and now has over 13,000 bicycles available to hire from over 800 docked stations across the city.
Does everything go back to normal for Boxing Day? There will be a service on the London Underground, however, it will be reduced and there are planned closures on certain lines. The DLR, London Overground, Emirates Air Line will be operating services, however, special service times. There will be no service on TfL Rail and most other National Rail services, although those operating services will be reduced.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will have one final post before the end of the year, and the end of the decade. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the festive period, even if for one day the tube is closed.
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