Status definitions

These are the most common ways we describe how our services are running - and what they mean for our customers.

We use these descriptions on the TfL Go app and Stations stops and piers pages, in our Status updates and announcements and at other times when we're talking about how services are running.

This is what they mean.

Good service

Services are running as we'd expect them to. There may be the occasional short local delay or gap, but we are running as advertised.

Minor delays

You might have to wait a little longer or your service may take longer to reach its destination. It sometimes means that your journey will be busier than usual, but we don't recommend changing your route.

Severe delays

Our service is significantly disrupted. You are likely to have to wait, and your journey will take a lot longer than usual. This means your journey is likely to be busy and your service may not travel all the way to its advertised destination.

We recommend taking another route if you can. Where possible, we'll arrange for your ticket to be accepted on London Buses and National Rail at no extra cost.

Suspended and Part suspended

The line is not running, either for the whole route or part of the route, and you'll need to use another service to finish your journey. Where possible, we will arrange for your ticket to be accepted on London Buses and National Rail at no extra cost.

Planned closure and Part closure

To keep the network running smoothly, we sometimes need to close all or part of a service for maintenance work or upgrades. Where possible, we will be running a replacement bus service. However, it's often quicker and easier to use an alternative route while the line is closed.

Length of delays

These service messages don't give the length of time you can expect to be delayed by because the frequency of services varies across different parts of TfL. In some cases, there are services every two minutes while on others, they're every 30 minutes.

This means that when there is disruption, the actual length of the delay will vary. So Minor delays could mean a delay of a few minutes at a central London station, but a longer delay further out on our network.

How long disruption lasts varies - it depends on what's causing it and what we need to do to put things right. That means in most cases we can't accurately predict or tell you how long disruption will last. In cases where we do know the likely duration - like a planned closure - we will tell you.

Other information

Service status tells you how our services are running. It doesn't include information about accessible travel; quieter times to travel; or station, lift and escalator closures.

For more information about a particular delay, or to find out whether a route or station is quiet, check the TfL Go app or the Stations stops and piers page for the station or pier. Or speak to a member of staff.

Planning an alternative route

  • Use the TfL Go app or Journey Planner to help plan your route
  • Nearby uses your current location or a postcode or address of your choice and places you on a map, showing you Tube, bus, river, London Overground, DLR, Elizabeth line and Santander Cycles locations around you
  • Sometimes it's quicker to walk between stations. So if you can, walk it instead