Hatton Cross station, part of the Piccadilly line extension, was inaugurated on July 19, 1975. Initially, passengers paid 40p, which equals approximately £3.11 today, for the journey to the West End. Despite being conveniently situated next to the airport, passengers were directed to use a shuttle bus from Hounslow West instead of the new station. Hatton Cross station was significant for featuring the first automatic glass doors on the London Underground. The station was praised for its benefits to locals working at Heathrow and for addressing road congestion.
On the day it opened, the first train, a six-car 1973 tube stock, arrived at the new terminus, driven by Instructor/Driver Danny Woodward and accompanied by the London Underground's Chief Operating Officer, Mr J Graeme Bruce.
Although Hatton Cross, located right next to an airport and a bus stop outside, would seem the ideal station for airport passengers, they were actually instructed to continue using the existing A1 shuttle bus from Hounslow West instead.
As a modern station, Hatton Cross station was notable for being the first on the London Underground to use automatic glass doors in the ticket hall.
GLC's transport committee chair, Jim Daly, said that the new station would be "of particular benefit to Londoners working at Heathrow and we hope it will also help alleviate the severe road congestion."
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