Commuters cram onto buses and trains as union RMT and Unite strike to shutdown entire Tube network
A sixth 24-hour Tube strike has brought London to a standstill as millions battle heavy congestion, long bus queues and overcrowded train services in an effort to get to work.
London has seen 56 percent more congestion than the same time last year at its peak, with roads clogged with traffic and reports of commuters struggling to catch buses due to them being so busy.
As well as an increase in demand for taxis, buses and cars, some commuters are cycling or using electric scooters, or even turning to more unusual transport such as boat services on the Thames.
National Rail services are extremely busy as members of the public crowd into packed carriages following empty trains in the early house of this morning.
It comes after workers from several unions cancelled strikes on National Rail services this week after they secured fresh talks with rail operator bosses.
Around 10,000 workers across the London Underground network are walking out today, with severe disruption expected throughout the day and into tomorrow morning.
The RMT said this week that TfL had refused its offer to suspend strike action. Workers from Unite are also joining the walkout.
The 24-hour action is the latest in a long-running dispute with TfL bosses who are struggling to balance the books in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Unions have caused travel chaos for millions this year by staging five other similar strikes, some scheduled to coincide with National Rail action to cripple the country.
As commuters turned to buses or cars to get to work instead, heavy traffic built up around the capital on Thursday morning
Huge crowds were left waiting for buses outside Monument stations amid growing congestion around the city
More than 30 Underground trains rest at a depot in Upminster due to the current strike action over changes to jobs and pensions
The few Underground stations which are partially open are seeing huge crowds of people trying to leave the station (pictured: Tottenham Court Road)
Hundreds of people flow out of Tottenham Court Road amid strikes which have seen almost all Tube lines closed
People pack onto busy buses near London Bridge early on Thursday as they battle to travel around the city after the Tube network was brought to a standstill
Commuters tried to fit as many people on board this train from Stratford station as possible
Many commuters chose to walk or cycle to work instead – while others chose some more unusual methods such as an Uber boat
Commuters are piling into buses around central London while many simply do not stop as they are too full
Roads around Old Kent Road also saw more vehicles than usual, which adds even more time to the daily commute
Bikes, foldable cycles and electric scooters were all in high demand on Thursday morning by those who had no choice but to travel
Long queues for buses are being seen across London this morning as emergency and key workers battle to travel to work
Commuters board a crowded train at Stratford Station in east London as National Rail services become more busy
As the morning rush hour peaked in London National Rail services also began to feel the pressure as travellers turned to alternative routes
Tube trains lined up at Stanmore this morning as the Tube strike begins, leaving millions facing a nightmare journey to work
There was heavy congestion near Tower Bridge this morning due to to strikes, which have resulted in nine lines being completely suspended for 24 hours
Closed shutters at the entrance to Euston underground station in central London, as some commuters only realise strikes are taking place as they arrive
Congestion in London on Thursday was up almost 50 percent at 8am as commuters resorted to cars and buses to get around
Picket lines at multiple Underground stations are already up and running as workers try and put pressure on TfL to take action.
Millions now face a struggle to get to work, while those who can work from home instead.
Members of the public are reporting that bus services are so overcrowded that many are not stopping – raising questions over how emergency service staff and other key workers will get to work.
But national rail services were reportedly emptier than usual in the early hours of this morning as workers opt to stay at home instead of commuting into London.
Congestion in London by 8am on Thursday was up almost 50 percent on this time last year, bringing the city to a near standstill, according to analysts TomTom.
But the location technology firm said there was only a small change when compared to last week.
Many due to travel today expressed anger at the rail workers as they faced yet another disrupted journey to work.
One quipped that the ‘whole of London’ will be calling in late to work on Thursday while another said it had taken them four-and-a-half hours to drive into work.
Others blamed the Conservative government for the disruption, while the Conservative Party blamed Labour.
Around a dozen members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and Unite gathered at King’s Cross St Pancras for a picket during rush hour.
The group arrived at 7am, placing a banner reading ‘RMT’ close to the station.
Nearby commuters were seen being turned away from packed buses as the Tube station was closed off.
The dispute is over TfL is proposals to reduce staffing numbers at stations by 10 percent and review its employees’ pension scheme – after an agreement made with central government for a funding settlement to shore up its finances after the pandemic.
The RMT said it asked TfL to pause job cuts and detrimental pension changes to give both sides the space to come to a negotiated settlement.
The Central line is running a severely reduced service between White City and Ealing Broadway or West Ruislip with the rest of the line suspended.
The DLR is running no trains between Shadwell and Bank, while the Northern line is running a reduced service is operating between High Barnet and East Finchley and between Finchley Central and Mill Hill East and between Edgware and Golders Green only.
All other underground lines are completely suspended.
Bus services and roads are very busy, with further action from Just Stop Oil on the M25 this morning complicating journeys further.
John Leach, assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said future strikes should be expected.
He said: ‘Our message to the commuters is we regret the inconvenience caused by Tube strikes, of course we do.
‘But I also say to them, if your pension or your job was on the line, or your contract was being ripped in front of you… you would expect your union to stick together to defend your pension, your job and your contract, and that’s all we’re doing.’
Asked if there will be further action, he said: ‘I hope not, I very much hope not, but if there’s no progress made around the table on these issues in discussions with the management and they continue to attack our pensions, jobs and contracts, the answer is yes.’
TfL are warning commuters to expect alternative travel routes to be extremely busy.
The Elizabeth Line and national rail services will run as normal but are expected to be much busier.
London buses are likely to be crowded and running slower due to busier roads. Docklands Light Railway and London Overground trains could face last-minute disruption.
London Trams will also be running a reduced timetable.
Even some of the busiest Underground stations remain completely closed this morning, including Kings Cross and London Bridge.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘TfL have missed a golden opportunity to make progress in these negotiations and avoid strike action on Thursday.
‘Our members are resolute in their determination to see a just settlement to this jobs and pensions dispute.
‘They will continue their industrial campaign for as long as it takes.
‘TfL need to start making compromises and work with the union to reach a deal that works for staff and avoids further disruption to the lives of passengers.’
TfL urged passengers to check before they travel on Thursday, warning London Overground and DLR services may be subject to last minute changes as a result of the Tube strike, while London Trams will be running a reduced timetable.
Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham, said: ‘TfL must stop behaving like a race-to-the-bottom employer and put forward an offer that is acceptable to our members.’
Commuters have been forced to take alternative transport such as the city’s boat services (left), while others have reported empty National Rail services as commuters work from home instead
Underground stations remained closed early this morning as almost all lines are completely suspended in the long-running dispute
Early morning buses were extremely busy on Thursday with some commuters complaining their stops were being missed due to services being so full
At Victoria Station in central London on Thursday commuters could be seen gathered in large crowds to try and board a bus
Around 10,000 workers from across the Underground network are on strike today from the RMT and Unite unions
RMT members man a picket line outside Harrow on the Hill station on Thursday morning after shutting down almost the entire network
The strikes have been condemned by the government, with the Conservative Party tweeting: ‘Tubes are empty today as millions of Londoners suffer yet another day of strikes thanks to Sadiq Khan and Labour.’
Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: ‘I would like to apologise to our customers for any disruption caused by Thursday’s industrial action.
‘We met with the RMT and Unite this week to urge them to call off this Tube strike as no proposals to change pensions or conditions have been made.
‘Unfortunately, no agreement could be reached but we remain open for discussions as there is still time for the unions to call off this action.
‘Customers should check before they travel on Thursday and we are advising them to expect very limited or no service on the Tube.
‘London Overground, the Elizabeth line and DLR services may be subject to last minute changes, including non-stopping at some stations shared with London Underground. London Trams will also be running a reduced timetable.’
Mr Leach, assistant general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), called on rail bosses to ‘stand by’ their staff.
He told PA outside King’s Cross St Pancras: ‘My message to TFL now is stand by your staff, listen to your staff, thousands of them are on strike today for the sixth time this year.
‘They’re losing lots of money, don’t they realise in management there’s a serious problem here? What they need to do is stand with their staff.
‘The Mayor of London needs to stand up for staff and do a proper finance deal which gives TfL money it needs to keep the capital city moving, and not trade off the staff pension, jobs and their conditions of employment for some bad deal, which is what they have done.’
