Tube driver goes viral as she SINGS to passengers over tannoy and gives uplifting announcements

A Northern line tube driver has gone viral on social media after passengers filmed her cheery requests, singing and chatting on her announcements.

Sarah Chipperfield, 42, became a London Underground driver four years ago but when she returned to work after the birth of her third child just as the pandemic hit, she decided customers needed something a little different when travelling on her trains.

Now, Sarah’s announcements are getting some recognition after a clip by a customer went viral.

The video, captioned “10/10 entertainment on the northern line today. Someone give this tube driver a pay rise,” shows passengers laughing as Sarah can be heard making jokes.

The clip ends with Sarah singing “We will now call at many Clapham stations, Balham, two lots of Tooting, Colliers Wood, South Wimbledon, and then Morden and home for tea” to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas.

Other favourites Sarah posted on her own Instagram include “If you’re hanging and you know it clap your hands” and “The Northern Line has severe delays” to the tune of Tis the Season to be Jolly.

Though she never films them herself while driving, she likes to record them afterwards for fans on social media.

“I think that bringing smiles to the faces of our customers and train operators sharing their personalities is part and parcel of what operating trains on the London Underground is all about,” Sarah told Jam Press.

“I’m on the frontline of a world-class service – it brings immense pride to be able to do what I do and to wear the roundel, and that reflects in my efforts to give back to the city of London by spreading some joy to our customers.”

Sarah took the job on the Northern Line as she was looking for a change of career that would fit around her children.

She said: “TfL were advertising externally for night tube roles so I crossed my fingers and applied.

“I work two days a week (Saturday and Sunday) and during the week I’m at home with my three children.

“I live in Romsey in Hampshire. It’s a bit of a commute into London but my in-laws live there so I can stay with them when I’m working.”

Two years ago, after returning to work following maternity leave as the pandemic hit, Sarah decided to approach the announcements differently.

She said: “Upon returning to driving it was so quiet and there was so much anxiety around going out that I decided to get a bit more “chatty” to reassure people that I was there and to help me concentrate."

Since then, Sarah has kept up the friendlier style and she loved seeing recent videos shared online, including one by food blogger @birkbites with over 700,00 views.

She said: “I was upstairs putting my children to bed and my phone was charging downstairs. I came down and picked up my phone to quite a few messages from friends and colleagues saying “is this you?” It was with some trepidation that I watched the video.

“Unfortunately, some people have commented that they find it annoying and unprofessional but the overwhelming majority of comments have been positive.

“Most people have been absolutely lovely.

"It’s also really heartwarming when people come up to your cab door to wave or say thanks or approach you on the platform when you’re at a terminus.

"It’s so good to see people smiling when they leave the train.”