Tube strikes – live: London Underground grinds to a halt as TfL staff walk out

‘Staff consistently outscore other elements of TfL’s performance’ says RMT

The RMT union has shared TfL data showing passenger perceptions of the operator’s service and performance, saying that satisfaction with staff remains high.

“Here’s a fascinating graphic from @TfL in October this year,” posted the RMT to its official Twitter account.

“Passenger satisfaction with @TfL is on a downward trend EXCEPT in relation to their experience of its staff. Staff consistently outscore other elements of @TfL’s performance.”

It posted a graphic showing various aspects of TfL performance being rated by customers from 2021 and into 2022. The highest performing aspect was staff helpfulness and friendliness; the lowest ranked statement was “TfL supports its customers when things go wrong.”

“Yet London Underground is cutting station staff, attacking agreements that control working conditions and working with the government to attack workers’ pensions. Plus it still outsources its cleaners,” wrote the RMT staffer.

Lucy Thackray10 November 2022 14:24

Elizabeth line experiences its busiest day – with delays and overcrowding

Tens of thousands of commuters have been sampling London’s Elizabeth line for the first time – as it is the one east-west rail route through the capital that is still working. The new route is not affected by today’s strike.

But disruption is happening, particularly on the leg linking Liverpool Street and Whitechapel with Woolwich and Abbey Wood.

While there are supposed to be trains every seven or eight minutes, some intervals have been as long as 20 minutes – with consequent overcrowding.

This has also led to bunching, with some trains running, almost completely empty, just 90 seconds behind others.

Transport for London insists a “good service” is running on the Elizabeth line, which connects stations in the southeast of the capital with Heathrow airport and Reading in the west.

But it warns: “Elizabeth line services are not calling at stations between Bond Street and Whitechapel after 10.30pm”. This covers the central core of the line.

An Elizabeth Line sign

(PA)

Simon Calder10 November 2022 13:39

Jeremy Corbyn shows support to strikers

Labour MPs including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell have shared their support for the striking Tube workers on social media.

Mr Corbyn tweeted: “Victory to the @RMTunion!” alongside a picture of him holding up an Islington Trades Union Council banner.

Meanwhile, Mr McDonnell said: “Joined RMT picket lines this morning at Hounslow West, Acton & Northfields to support RMT members on strike on London Underground. Strike solid. Solidarity.”

Helen Coffey10 November 2022 13:02

When will Tube strike end?

Although today’s Tube strike is only for 24 hours, as with previous walkouts, London Underground services are likely to be severely impacted into Friday morning.

Transport for London says of 11 November: “Services affected by Thursday’s strikes are expected to return to normal by mid-morning.”

Because Tube trains won’t be in position, it’s expected it will take time for regular services to resume. Commuters are told to check their travel plans ahead of time.

Helen Coffey10 November 2022 12:47

Heavy traffic by Blackwall Tunnel and A4 West London

Pockets of heavy traffic have built up this morning as commuters try to get into and around the capital without using the Tube network.

Ru Roberts, UK country manager at Waze, said:“London commuters will face substantial delays across the capital today, due to the tube strikes and knock-on effects of protests along the M25.

“Our Waze map shows bumper-to-bumper traffic on the A102 in the Blackwall Tunnel area, with speeds as low as 5 mph. Heavy traffic can also be seen on the A4 in West London, with reported speeds of 5 mph.

“We expect disruption to continue for the next 24 hours, so where possible, avoid travelling during peak hours, plan your journey ahead of time and consider a route which may be longer in miles but fewer in cars.”

Lucy Thackray10 November 2022 11:57

Londoners post supportive messages despite Tube disruption

Many Londoners have been posting on social media in support of the RMT and Unite members walking out today.

“Final leg of my commute - from Waterloo - will take longer today due to the #TubeStrike. But in the grand scheme of things it’s nothing but a minor inconvenience,” wrote Al McDonald on Twitter.

“Fair play to the @RMTunion for taking action. Their pay and conditions are our pay and conditions. Solidarity.”

“It’s noticeable how few Londoners are moaning about the Tube strike,” wrote another user, Yousef.

“Yes it’s inconvenient. But millions of us support the men & women standing up for their rights & pay. All power to them. They don’t do this lightly or because they want to. Up the Workers.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Perrin wrote: “Rely on the railway and tubes everyday for work, so another strike today is not hugely convenient for me. However, I could not be more behind @RMTunion and what they’re trying to achieve. Keep fighting guys. Up The Workers.”

Lucy Thackray10 November 2022 11:36

More disruption in coming weeks

Cancellations on the Underground will continue until Friday morning – and nationwide several more bouts of industrial action will halt rail services in the coming days and weeks.

Transport for London says: “Disruption will continue into the morning of Friday 11 November, with affected services expected to return to a normal service by mid-morning.”

Staff at ScotRail are currently refusing overtime as part of a dispute over pay. ScotRail says: “The action short of a strike will see some daily cancellations, as the operation of ScotRail services requires rest day working and overtime as recruitment continues.”

Members of the RMT union employed by Network Rail at the Thames Valley Signal Centre will strike on Saturday 19 and Monday 21 November – affecting travellers between London, the West of England and South Wales.

Great Western Railway says: “A reduced service will operate between 7.30am and 6.30pm on most parts of the network, and the last trains will be earlier than usual.”

The train drivers’ union, Aslef has withdrawn all non-contractual overtime at LNER on the East Coast main line from Sunday 27 November, in a dispute over terms and conditions .

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “The company has shown a complete disregard for the agreements which shape our members’ working lives.”

Warrick Dent, safety and operations director at the state-run train operator, said: “We are focused on running reliable services for our customers.

“We believe that these matters are best resolved between LNER and Aslef through discussion rather than further industrial action which only damages the rail industry.”

A Scotrail Train

(Simon Calder)

Simon Calder10 November 2022 11:14

Cycle trouble as bike docking stations fill up

With no Tube trains running, many commuters from the inner suburbs of London have switched to Santander Cycles – the capital’s main “rent it here, leave it there” scheme.

But when they arrive in the City of London or the West End, they are waiting around disconsolately trying to find somewhere to dock the bikes.

Unlike other cycle hire systems, which have no limits on capacity, Transport for London’s Santander operation has a limited number of docking spaces – and there are simply no vacancies.

In some locations, such as Waterloo and King’s Cross stations and on the north side of Southwark Bridge, TfL staff are coping with the demand by moving large numbers of bikes out of the docking stands. But significant space is not likely to become available until the evening rush-hour.

The Independent’s Head of Travel, Helen Coffey, visited four docking stations before she was able to find a space for her bike.

Simon Calder10 November 2022 10:36

How can I get around London without the Tube?

Thursday’s Tube strike rules out most London Underground journeys, and some Overground services, with disruption expected into Friday morning. To avoid the Tube, travellers in London can take advantage of:

Lucy Thackray10 November 2022 10:10

Strikes could continue, says RMT boss

The assistant general secretary of the RMT union, John Leach, has said that future strikes are likely if discussions with TfL do not improve.

London’s transport network has been largely shut down by today’s RMT and Unite strikes, with hardly any Tube services running and most stations closed.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Mr Leach 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."

Of possible future industrial action, he added: "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."

Lucy Thackray10 November 2022 09:46

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