Tube strikes – live: Truss hits out at ‘militant unions’ as Shapps threatens workers

Why are Tube workers on strike? Mick Lynch explains members' demands

RMT Union boss Micky Lynch has spoken out “the future of the pension scheme which is under threat” for striking workers today.

“There’s negotiatons going on between the government, treasury and Mayor Khan’s office about the future funding of London Underground. They’ve cut two billion pounds from the funding, and that has put at risk our members’ pensions,” he told LondonLive.

“They want to decimate the pension and make it into a completely different, cheaper scheme. That will make our members poorer in retirement and probably pay more while they’re working. There’s also threats to terms and conditions, and a threat of a loss of jobs.”

Mr Lynch said the RMT Union was “being excluded from talks”, adding that “offering our members terms and conditions as a hostage to get the funding of the railway and the bus services, the whole of TfL, pushed downwards”.

Lucy Thackray19 August 2022 15:58

Eight TfL lines remain fully suspended amid strikes

As the end of the working day approaches, eight of TfL’s lines, all Underground routes, remain completely out of action. They are: the Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Piccadilly, Victoria and Waterloo & City Lines.

The Elizabeth Line and DLR are the only two TfL lines with a good service.

Meanwhile the London Overground has no service between Liverpool Street - Cheshunt / Chingford / Enfield Town due to strike action, but a good service on other areas of the line.

On the Central line a reduced service is operating between White City and West Ruislip, between Liverpool Street and Hainault via Newbury Park and between Leytonstone and Epping approximately every 15 minutes.

As with earlier, a reduced District Line service is operating between West Ham and Dagenham East, approximately every 15 minutes.

Lucy Thackray19 August 2022 15:42

Saturday’s rail strikes: Which trains are scheduled to run?

Saturday will see the end of the London Tube strike (with some knock-on effects expected to cause disruption first thing), and the beginning of the second RMT Union rail strike this week.

It’s expected to see only one fifth of services running across the UK, with large swathes of the country cut off entirely from the rail network.

Some companies have published emergency timetables with one hourly train on key routes, others have warned of just two or three services total on some routes. Meanwhile, some have simply said they will not be running a service. All, including Network Rail, have urged the public to avoid train travel for the duration of the 24-hour walkout.

But for absolutely essential journeys, which trains are set to run on Saturday? Here’s what we know so far.

Lucy Thackray19 August 2022 14:46

Ghost train: Eerie shots show London’s abandoned Tube stations

Photos have emerged of London’s Tube stops and trains lying empty, or closed for the day, amid today’s RMT Union strike.

Having been warned vociferously to stay home and avoid train travel across town, few Londoners have been using the trickle of trains still running on the Central, Northern, District and Overground.

One image showed just one passenger in the carriage of a Central line train.

One person on the Central Line this morning

(PA)

Escalators at Liverpool Street

(PA)

A closure notice at Stratford

(PA)

Lucy Thackray19 August 2022 14:03

Beat the Avanti West Coast cancellations – with a private first-class train

Travellers from London to Birmingham and Manchester who are struggling to find space on Avanti West Coast trains can instead enjoy first-class travel for the next four Friday evenings. A private operator is laying on a special train with a flat fare of £75.

The service is branded “The Friday Charter” and is run by Locomotive Services Group. The carriages are old British Rail Intercity Mk 3 stock, beloved by many rail enthusiasts for their comfort and panoramic windows. All the seating is three-abreast seating.

“Say goodbye to packed commuter trains and hello to luxurious leg room and cushioned comfort,” the operator says.

Read the full story:

Simon Calder19 August 2022 13:34

Grant Shapps threatens to impose new working terms on striking rail workers

New working terms will be imposed on striking rail workers if they refuse to accept deals on the table, the transport secretary has threatened.

Grant Shapps stepped up his battle with the rail unions by revealing plans to use a section 188 order to end the disputes, saying: “That is the direction that this is moving in now.”

But one union rejected his claim that an 8 per cent pay rise is on offer, insisting the privatised rail firms have offered just 2 per cent – alongside job losses and pension cuts.

“Everything Grant Shapps does seems to be aimed at ramping up this dispute rather than resolving it,” said Luke Chester, from the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) said.

Read the full story:

Rob Merrick19 August 2022 13:06

Elizabeth Line and DLR still operating

Although most Tube lines are completely suspended today during the strike by London Underground workers, the Elizabeth line and DLR are both still running.

Both are operating a “good service” according to TfL.

Meanwhile, most of the London Overground is working, albeit with a reduced service on some routes and minor delays.

There is no service from Liverpool Street - Cheshunt / Chingford / Enfield Town.

Helen Coffey19 August 2022 13:02

TfL's alternative tube map tells you walking time between stops

Many are opting to walk instead of using London's Underground network amid today's strikes.

Tourists in particular may not be aware that the walk between Covent Garden and Leicester Square is just four minutes; while the distance between Oxford Circus and Bond St is just seven.

A TfL staffer recently clarified that the times shown on the “walking map” are measured from exit to entrance, rather than from the moment you get off the platform at one station to the moment you reach a platform at the next.

“The walking distances between stations on our map is from the entrance/exit to the station and not from the platform. As most stations have multiple platforms this would not be possible on the map,” an employee signing off as “Sue” wrote on Twitter.

The numbered map

(TfL)

Lucy Thackray19 August 2022 12:06

Crowds wait for buses as Tube lines close and bus drivers strike

Amid three separate strikes by Tube workers, Overground staff and bus drivers, many Londoners have faced long, frustrating waits for buses this morning.

Photos showed crowds swarming the number 13 to North Finchley, masked tourists waiting anxiously in long queues near Liverpool Street, and throngs four-deep, some with suitcases, outside Victoria Station.

On top of the Tube strikes, which have closed most Underground lines and Tube stations, 1,600 bus drivers employed by London United have walked out for both 19 and 20 August, with further disruption to continue tomorrow.

The 13 bus was swarmed

(Getty Images)

Long waits continued outside Victoria Station

(PA)

Anxious tourists outside Liverpool St

(PA)

Lucy Thackray19 August 2022 11:45

London Cycling Campaign posts guide for getting around tube-free

A cycling advocacy group has posted their guide to getting around the capital on two wheels.

London Cycling Campaign posted: “Is someone you know thinking about cycling in London this week during the #TubeStrike & #RailStrike this Friday?

“Share our tips on route-planning to help them have an enjoyable, safe journey - how routes are marked, apps & maps, where to avoid, and more.”

Lucy Thackray19 August 2022 11:26

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. 
Read our Privacy notice

{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. 
Read our Privacy notice

{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}