Transport for London (TFL)
The first couple of weeks at university will go by in a blur of parties, nights out, lectures and more parties and nights out. There’s little time to plan ahead and think about the practicalities of life like buying toilet roll or milk before you run out or how you’re going to get home after a night out. But whilst you’re making the most of living in the Big Smoke it is also essential that you make yourself aware of the following information.
Not only will it show you how to get home faster but also how to make your journey as safe as possible.
What is a big no-no?
Taking an unbooked minicab home after a night out is dangerous. Any minicab journey that isn’t booked by phone or in a minicab office is illegal, unsafe and puts you at risk of sexual violence and robbery. You must not approach minicab drivers and any minicab driver that approaches you is acting illegally.
What are the safer alternatives?
Only taxis (black cabs) can be stopped by customers and can pick up off the street. Otherwise you can also use pre-booked minicabs.
You can also use Transport for London’stext service, Cabwise, which helps you get a cab to take you home safely. Simply text CAB to 60835* and GPS will be used to text your two nearest minicab numbers and one taxi (black cab) number.
Public transport is a safer alternative to taking an unbooked minicab. There are now more Night buses than ever with 117 routes all with CCTV. The last Tubes leave central London around 00.30 Monday to Saturday nights**.
If you decide to walk home, stick to well-lit streets and avoid using alleyways or short cuts. Keep your mind on your surroundings. In an emergency always call 999.
What else can I do?
You can plan your night out and get the latest information on late night travel by visiting tfl.gov.uk/traveltools before you go out. Plan your journey in advance with Journey Planner, use Findaride to get the details of licensed minicabs in the area that you're going out in or get maps, timetables and free mobile travel alerts.
For more information and safety advice visit tfl.gov.uk or call the 24hr London Travel Information line on 0843 222 1234***.
Text charged at 35p per enquiry plus standard text message rate Roaming rates apply to overseas networks. Customers on 3 and overseas networks need to enter different information. See tfl.gov.uk/cabwise for further details.
** Excludes the Waterloo & City and Circle lines.
*** You pay no more than 5p per minute if calling from a BT landline. There may be a connection charge. Charges from mobiles or other landline providers may vary.