<P> The world 's first underground railway , the Metropolitan Railway , which opened in 1863 , is now part of the Circle , Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines ; the first line to operate underground electric traction trains , the City & South London Railway in 1890 , is now part of the Northern line . The network has expanded to 11 lines , and in 2016 -- 17 carried 1.379 billion passengers , making it the world 's 11th busiest metro system . The 11 lines collectively handle approximately 4.8 million passengers a day . </P>
<P> The world 's first underground railway , the Metropolitan Railway , which opened in 1863 , is now part of the Circle , Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines ; the first line to operate underground electric traction trains , the City & South London Railway in 1890 , is now part of the Northern line . The network has expanded to 11 lines , and in 2016 -- 17 carried 1.379 billion passengers , making it the world 's 11th busiest metro system . The 11 lines collectively handle approximately 4.8 million passengers a day . </P>
when was the first underground railway ( metro railway ) started
when was the first underground railway ( metro railway ) started
1863
1863