Commuters pack onto Tubes as Number 10 says passenger numbers have risen 25% in a week - but some lines still remain deserted

• Commuters packed onto Tube services during peak times again this morning
• People are riding TfL services to get to work if they cannot work from home
• Central Line was busier than Victoria Line while people were not wearing masks 

Commuters packed onto Tube services in London this morning after Downing Street claimed that passenger numbers are up by 25 per cent on last week.

Pictures this morning show people riding underground trains on the Central Line during peak times, in some cases unable to practice social distancing. 

Though some Tube riders are wearing face masks in line with government advice, images suggest that many commuters are still not wearing coverings.

While Canning Town station looked busy today, the Victoria Line was 'eerily' quiet, as one commuter observed while taking to Twitter. 

Meanwhile, Tube passenger numbers have risen by 25 per cent this week compared to last, Boris Johnson's official spokesman has claimed.

But the overall number of passengers is down by 93 per cent compared to last year.

It comes as Sadiq Khan hinted that he was 'considering' making the wearing of face masks on Tubes and buses compulsory going forward.

The Mayor of London has told people to avoid public transport unless it is impossible to work from home, and to wear face coverings. 

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Commuters were packed onto the Central Line today on their way back to the workplace

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Some commuters were wearing face masks while others were not following government rules

Commuters were packed onto the Central Line today on their way back to the workplace

Angry commuters complained that they were unable to practice social distancing

Transport for London (TfL) has insisted that during peak hours this week it has run over 75 per cent of Tube services on average across the whole network.

However, this has been rubbished by the biggest Tube drivers' union, which said that its drivers believe that just 50 per cent of services are being run.  

Posting an image of a deserted Tube carriage, he tweeted: 'My first venture back on the TfL Tube since the first week of March. 

'There's something quite magically beautiful yet eerie travelling on the Victoria Line this morning #lockdownuk #Covid19UK'.

Meanwhile, Downing Street yesterday said that underground travel in London is up to 25 per cent higher than last week.

However, Boris Johnson's official spokesman claimed that Tube usage overall was down by 93 per cent compared to one year ago.

Bus usage was around 88 per cent lower than last year and rail passenger journeys were down 95 per cent on 2019 levels, the spokesman added.   

Nt all lines were as busy as each other, with commuters able to practice social distancing

People are being told to get back to the workplace by Boris Johnson only if it is essential

Commuters were seen waiting for a Central Line Tube service on their way back to work today

While Canning Town station looked busy today, the Victoria Line was 'eerily' quiet, as one commuter observed while taking to Twitter

Data provided by the Tube operator suggests that commuter numbers have been rising steadily this week, with a 2,000-passenger jump on Wednesday from Tuesday.

Yesterday, TfL data showed that up to 100,000 travellers used the service to get across the network, while 99,485 journeys were made on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, 97,581 journeys were made between 4am and 10am. 

However, total numbers of passengers are lower than pre-lockdown, as authorities tell people to work from home where possible and only commute where necessary. 

Sadiq Khan has told commuters only to use public transport if it is 'essential' and should wear face masks or coverings.  

Yesterday the Mayor of London hinted that he was considering making it compulsory to wear face masks in line with government instruction. 

Mr Khan said he hopes to persuade the government to change its position on the issue, but he has the option to 'make it mandatory in the capital only'.

Some commuters were wearing face masks while others were not following government rules

People are being told to get back to the workplace by Boris Johnson only if it is essential

He told the London Assembly he will consider next week whether he needs to make wearing face masks on public transport in the capital mandatory.

The London Mayor will lobby the government in a bid to 'reach a sensible compromise', as he noted some train services in London are not under his control. 

Mr Khan added: 'I leave the option available, which is to make it mandatory in London only. But I'm hoping we can persuade the government to do the right thing.'

Existing guidance from TfL only goes as far as advising passengers to wear face coverings, which is in line with nationwide policy. 

Transport for London   (TfL) have advised commuters only to travel to work if it is essential

In a move that will force even more passengers on to the cramped public transport system, London's congestion charge was reimposed on Monday - two weeks early.

The £11.50 daily levy for people driving into the centre of the city was suspended on March 23 and will increase to £15 from next month. 

It comes after Mr Khan launched an investigation into the deaths of 33 TfL staff - including 29 bus drivers - associated with coronavirus. 

TfL will work with University College London to  'better understand the pattern of coronavirus infections and deaths among London's bus workers'