A travel vlogger has gone viral after highlighting the deteriorating and poorly maintained condition of London’s transport system, particularly the London Underground, widely known as the London Tube. In an Instagram post, the user named Meharma challenged the glossy narratives often shared by Southeast Asian expatriates. She criticised the common perception that commuting in London is both safe and convenient, presenting a contrasting reality through her experience. Drawing comparisons, she remarked that South Asian rickshaw rides seemed significantly calmer and more peaceful in contrast to what she encountered during her journey in the British capital’s underground transit system.
"The moment I sat in the underground London Tube, my nose was blocked like this aunty. I could not understand where the smell was coming from," Meharma can be heard saying in the video.
In the now-viral video, Meharma captured visuals of people urinating both on the platform and inside the train compartments, while also pointing out the strong and unusual odour inside the coaches. She further criticised individuals of South Asian origin residing in the city who often praise and glorify the transport infrastructure. Through her commentary, she attempted to highlight what she described as the stark gap between perception and reality, arguing that the everyday commuting experience was far from the ideal image frequently portrayed by those living abroad.
"I know these videos are very disgusting. But to understand the lifestyle of our relatives in London, it is very important to watch these videos. Now again, the UK people will come to message you that we don't have anything like this," Meharma added.
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Social Media Reactions
As of the latest update, the clip has amassed more than 2.7 million views along with hundreds of comments, as social media users praised the vlogger for presenting what they believed to be an unfiltered view of reality. Many viewers expressed shock and discomfort after watching the footage, while others appreciated her for raising awareness about the issue. The video sparked widespread discussion online, with users debating the actual conditions of public transport systems in major global cities and comparing their personal travel experiences across different countries.
"I'll never be able to sit in any public transport anywhere in the world anymore," said one user, while another added: "No one has ever exposed them the way you have."
A third commented: "While travelling in London Tube. I saw a man pissing out on the station while standing inside the Tube gate when it stopped at a station. It was disgusting. After he was done, the ladies around him complained that you should not have done that, but he was drunk and wasn't ashamed at all."
A fourth said: "After living in London for a few months and then in the northwest, I would never for a million bucks choose to live or raise my kid in London."
Last month, a foreign national named Rory Porter also went viral after claiming that the Delhi Metro surpassed London’s underground transit network. He praised the Delhi Metro for its efficiency, cleanliness, and modern infrastructure, noting that it offered a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. His remarks further fuelled the ongoing comparison between public transport systems in different countries, with many users joining the conversation to share their own opinions and experiences.
"There is plenty of seats. There is no one really standing up. This could be one of the best ones I have been on in the world. Very efficient, lots of stations. Better than London. That is one of the best metros I have been on. Very nice, all air-conditioned, very clean, very modern," said Porter.