Passengers pushed onto trains at Stratford station
Commuters have been warned not to travel on the Tube after a strike by London Underground workers shut down several lines, causing travel chaos.
Workers at the Rail, Maritime and Transport union have gone on their sixth 24-hour strike this year in a row over pension changes and job cuts.
Major bus lines were established in the areas, while the Elizabeth line and other rail services were very busy.
Transport for London (TfL) apologized for the disruption.
It follows industry performance in August, where Tube journeys were down 90%, as well as journeys in June and March.
However, as was the case during those strikes, it is thought that many of the people who normally go into town worked from home to avoid disruption.
Indeed, geospatial technology firm TomTom said there was little change in the amount of traffic on the capital’s roads on Thursday morning compared to last week.
Tottenham Court Road station was busy with Elizabeth line arrivals
Lines affected
Visitor Bash Abdul says he has stress going to work
Host Bash Abdul from Hammersmith, west London, told BBC London that he had a two and a half hour journey ahead of him to work in East Ham in east London.
He said: “It’s not easy for anyone – it’s very stressful. A 12-hour drive plus a two-and-a-half hour journey is about 17 hours.
“It’s not easy for us – it’s very tiring.”
Gillian DaSilva Rodrigues, from Chiswick, west London, said she would have to take the bus and walk to work at Barons Court.
“To a certain extent, I’m sympathetic, but everyone is feeling stuck at the moment and it’s not easy for everyone in London,” he said.
“It’s been going on for a while and I hope they come to a decision soon.”
Crowds gathered at London Bridge hoping to board the bus
At the scene
By Tom Edwards, BBC London transport correspondent at Finsbury Park station
Some women shouted at us in frustration: “I’ve been trying to get to work since 6am!”
At Finsbury Park, the unaffected trains were like sardine cans as passengers boarded them.
Many came to the closed Tube gates unaware that there was a strike.
In other areas some heeded the warnings and stayed at home or used buses.
This is the sixth strike and it seems that there is little chance of resolving this highly charged pension issue.
It is also those who have to go into work – including essential workers and businesses in central London – who appear to be bearing the brunt.
Some people were turned away from full buses
The RMT said it had offered to stop the strike during negotiations, but accused TfL of rejecting its proposals.
General secretary Mick Lynch said: “TfL has missed a great opportunity to make progress in these negotiations and avoid strike action.
“Our members are resolute in their determination to see a fair resolution to this dispute, and will continue their industrial action as long as possible.”
More than 1,000 Unite members are also on strike.
Union General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “TfL is attacking our members’ wages and pensions without reason, which Unite will not accept.
“Workers have the full support of their union to fight these attacks. TfL must stop behaving like a racist employer and put forward an offer that is acceptable to our members.”
Brixton station was closed as RMT workers headed for the picket line
Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said no proposals to change pensions or conditions had been made.
TfL’s latest funding agreement with the government required it to come up with options on pensions, but the union said if changes were to be made, there would be further discussions and work before any decisions were made. which ones.
London Underground workers secured an 8.4% pay rise in April in a four-year contract, guaranteeing the Tube’s 15,000 workers an annual pay rise of 0.2% over the Retail Price Index (RPI), a measure of inflation published by the Office for National Statistics. .
This action comes as it was announced that around 1,000 bus drivers are set to go on strike for their wages.
Unite members employed by Abellio in south and west London will walk for 10 days in November and December.
Long lines established at Victoria station
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