Originally Posted by
travelmad478
But a hell of a lot more reliable! And cheaper!
I have an easier time in NY (which, to be fair, I have been using my whole life, vs. about 6 months' cumulative time spent in London over the last 20 years). For me it is a lot simpler to choose between "uptown" and "downtown" instead of Epping vs. West Ruislip, for example. That doesn't do much for people who haven't the faintest idea where Epping or West Ruislip are!
True, but equally "uptown" and "downtown" aren't so very helpful either if you don't happen to know the "town" very well and which one is where.
The London Underground often advertises the direction (not on the front of the train but on the signs pointing you to the platforms) – "northbound", "westbound" and so on. I find this helpful because I tend to think in terms of directions like this, but I appreciate that it would be of no use to some people. I guess a combination of systems is a good idea.