The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has hailed the huge success of the Night Tube after economic and passenger numbers for the first year far exceeded predictions.

Figures released to mark the service’s one-year anniversary this weekend show that the Night Tube has had nearly eight million journeys, boosted London’s economy by £171m in its first year alone and is supporting more than 3,600 jobs.

New research by London First and EY has also predicted that the Night Tube will be even more beneficial to the economy than previously forecast, with latest estimates indicating that over the next 30 years it will add £138m of value to London’s economy every year. This is significantly more than the £77m a year previously forecast.

The Night Tube has proved extremely popular with Londoners and visitors to the capital, with the eight millionth journey expected to take place this weekend – exceeding predictions by around 15 per cent.

It has helped millions get to work or get home at night quickly, safely and affordably. It has also cut late-night journey times by an average of 20 minutes and, in some cases, by up to an hour.

Some of the most popular Night Tube stations with late-night travellers have been central London destinations like Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road, as well as Brixton, Liverpool Street and Stratford.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The Night Tube has been a huge success ever since the first train rolled out of Brixton station 12 months ago. I remember the excitement of all the passengers boarding the train that night and I’m so pleased that the enthusiasm of Londoners has stayed strong ever since. No one could have predicted just how successful the Night Tube would be for our city. It’s significantly boosted our night-time economy, supported thousands of jobs and helped millions of people travel around our city at night safer and quicker than ever before. It truly demonstrates how London is open at all times of day and night."

Amy Lamé, London’s Night Czar, said: “The Night Tube has firmly established London’s position as one of the most vibrant cities in the world after dark. You only have to talk to businesses, bars and venues to see what a boost it provides for them. It’s been great for workers getting to and from night shifts, and great for Londoners and visitors who are making the most of everything our diverse nightlife has to offer.”

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, said: “In its first year the Night Tube has been an invaluable asset to Theatreland, helping our staff, performers and millions of theatregoers get home in the safest and quickest way. The Night Tube runs through the heart of the West End and with a 24 hour service, audiences are able to continue exploring everything our world famous theatre district has to offer long after the curtain has come down on their show.”

Later this year there will be even more weekend 24-hour services when London Overground night services start operating along the East London route between New Cross Gate and Dalston Junction in December. It will then be extended to Highbury & Islington next year.

In the future, the Night Tube will be extended to parts of the, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines once the modernisation of their signalling system is completed in 2023.