The current fleet that runs on the line is 52 years old, making the trains the oldest in regular passenger service in Britain.
Transport for London (TfL) has said it wants to replace the ageing trains, but has yet to secure full funding for the upgrade.
In recent weeks, social media users have expressed their “shock” at the state of the existing fleet, with many pointing out that graffiti is now “widespread”.
One passenger said: “I’ve used the Bakerloo line three times this week and every time the carriage has looked like this. What the heck is going on?”
They added: “Graffiti like this really makes me feel glum about the public realm. Grim to see it so widespread.”
I’ve used the Bakerloo line three times this week and every time the carriage has looked like this.
What the heck is going on? pic.twitter.com/jZ81mYCbuN
— Lee David Evans (@LeeDavidEvansUK) March 19, 2025
Graffiti like this really makes me feel glum about the public realm. Grim to see it so widespread.
— Lee David Evans (@LeeDavidEvansUK) March 19, 2025
The graffiti is also clear in pictures taken by this paper last weekend. These were taken after boarding the first carriage of the first train that came along at Piccadilly Circus.
TfL says it tries to remove graffiti on its network “as quickly as we can”, claiming that offensive graffiti is removed “as a matter of urgency”.
A spokesperson added: “Where graffiti cannot be removed easily, it is covered wherever possible and cleaned during engineering hours, in order to keep trains out on the network and minimise delays to our customers.”
They also reiterated proposals to upgrade the existing fleet with walk-through, air-conditioned trains.
A business plan for the £1.8 billion project was submitted to the Department for Transport in December, and TfL hopes to secure Government funding for the project this year.
Transport bosses hope they can press ahead with the upgrade soon so that they can tag the new trains onto the current Siemens order to build a modern Piccadilly line fleet.
TfL also wants to secure funding for an extension of the line to Lewisham.
A spokesperson said: “Extending the Bakerloo line and upgrading the existing line would connect a historically under-served part of London to the Tube network, while unlocking thousands of new homes that London needs and supporting new jobs.
“We remain committed to delivering the scheme but will need to work with government and other partners to secure funding to do this.
“Recent funding support from the London boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark has enabled us to restart some pieces of work to confirm elements of the planned extension.”
