Google's Street View will soon include virtual explorations of London's busiest Tube stations. Transport for London (TfL) has revealed plans to add over 30 stations to the online service, making

it easier for passengers to plan their journeys effectively.

The project will utilize 360-degree cameras to capture images within stations, with notable locations such as Green Park, King's Cross St Pancras, and Waterloo set to be included.

Google will commence the image collection process within the stations in the upcoming weeks, and station posters will inform customers about photography activities. A dedicated Google team will capture images between 10 am and 4 pm, avoiding peak hours, using a backpack camera.

Google's technology will be used to automatically blur any identifiable faces in the images before publication. The images are expected to become accessible throughout 2024. This addition will provide passengers with a clearer understanding of station layouts, aiding in journey planning and the identification of essential facilities like restrooms and help points.

Seb Dance, deputy mayor for transport, expressed excitement about the project, stating, "This exciting new project will give people the ability to plan their routes on the London Underground in the same way they would when walking and cycling across the city."

Thomas Ableman, TfL's director of innovation and strategy, mentioned that the project will help passengers gain confidence in using the London Underground network during their visits to the city and facilitate better interchange planning between different lines.

Currently, Google Street View covers nearly every street in London, along with a section of the Thames extending from Richmond to Woolwich. TfL recently announced a separate collaboration with Google, aiming to enhance Google Maps for cyclists by considering traffic conditions and the availability of high-quality cycling infrastructure on various routes.

The Tube stations scheduled to be featured on Google Street View include:

Baker Street

Bank/Monument

Bond Street

Camden Town

Canada Water

Canary Wharf

Canning Town

Cannon Street

Clapham Junction

Custom House

Embankment

Euston

Euston Square

Farringdon

Green Park

Hammersmith

Highbury and Islington

King's Cross St. Pancras

Liverpool Street

London Bridge

Moorgate

Old Street

Oxford Circus

Paddington

South Kensington

Stratford

Tottenham Court Road

Victoria

Waterloo

Westminster

Whitechapel

Photo by Tom Page from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.