London has been hit by the second major Tube strike in a week this morning, bringing travel misery across the capital with no service at all on two underground lines and parts of three others.
Crowds of people have been left stranded on platforms while bus stops across the capital have become overwhelmed. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said members were walking out after last-ditch talks with Transport for London (Tfl) failed to resolve a dispute over a four-day working week.
There is no service today on the Circle line, and Waterloo & City. The Piccadilly line is suspended between Arnos Grove and Uxbridge, Arnos Grove and Heathrow Terminal 5, and Heathrow Terminal 4 and Arnos Grove
There are also part-suspensions on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
Other services – the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, buses and trams – are running as normal but are likely to be extremely busy. The walkout follows an earlier strike on Tuesday.
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The RMT Union’s London lead, Jared Wood, says more Tube strikes will be “inevitable” if upcoming negotiations with TfL fail.
Asked if there will be another strike, Mr Wood said it will be a matter for RMT representatives, who are drivers, and the union’s national executive to decide what happens next.
“We will get everyone together and we’ll have a discussion about what the next steps are,” he said.
“In the meantime, we would hope to have met the company again to see if there’s any shift in their position. But at the moment, there is no indication at the last meeting that they were prepared to negotiate the terms.
“And if that continued to be their position, then I’m afraid further action will be inevitable.”
Zahra KhaliqToday10:31 BST
Here’s how each Tube line is doing as of 10:30am.
Bakerloo – Minor delays between Queens Park and Elephant & Castle, severe delays between Harrow & Wealdstone and Queen’s Park.
Central – Minor delays on the entire line, part suspended between Liverpool Street and White City.
Circle – Entire line suspended.
District – Severe delays on the entire line.
Hammersmith & City – Minor delays on the entire line.
Metropolitan – Minor delays on the entire line, part suspended between Baker Street and Aldgate.
Northern – Severe delays on the entire line, minor delays between High Barnet and East Finchley, and Edgware and Golders Green.
Piccadilly – Severe delays between Cockfosters and Arnos Grove, part suspended between Arnos Grove and Uxbridge, Arnos Grove and Heathrow Terminal 5, and Heathrow Terminal 4 and Arnos Grove.
Victoria – Minor delays on the entire line.
Waterloo & City – Entire line suspended.
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Tube users have flooded a platform at Earl’s Court this morning as they wait for the few city bound tube trains to Central London.
The station serves the Disctrict line, which is currently facing severe delays, as well as the Piccadilly line, which is reporting severe delays between Cockfosters and Arnos Grove.
The line is also part suspended between Arnos Grove and Uxbridge, Arnos Grove and Heathrow Terminal 5, and Heathrow Terminal 4 and Arnos Grove.
TfL has warned commuters that any Tube lines still operating today will be much busier than usual.
Lines still operating on the London Tube are busier than usual(Image: Alex Lentati/LNP)
Images show busy scenes across London as the Tube strikes take hold, with packed ticket barriers at Kings Cross and queues for buses at Euston.
Commuters pass through the ticket gates at King’s Cross St Pancras underground station(Image: Getty Images)
Passengers queue for a bus at Euston Station this morning(Image: Getty Images)
Cycling has become a popular alternative for Londoners this morning as they look for ways to dodge Tube delays.
According to the cyclist display on the Embankment path, 2,965 riders passed by as of around 8.30am. At the same time on Tuesday, the tally was 2,579.
Commuters have reported a “non-stop flow” of cyclists around Embankment this morning, the Metro reports.
Londoners have switched to cycling today(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Confusion continues to spread amongst commuters during the Tube strikes this morning, with one social media user saying “nothing is familiar” as disruption hits usual travel routes.
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Tube strikes could cost the economy more than £130 million in lost working days for both TfL staff and commuters, according to The Centre for Economics and Business Research.
It warns that the true impact is likely to be even higher once wider knock-on effects are taken into account, including reduced footfall in shops and businesses.
However, the think tank says costs could be offset by a rise in people using e-bikes and other alternative modes of transport.
Signs relating to the current strike action displayed inside Tottenham Court Station(Image: Getty Images)
Frustration is growing amongst commuters this morning, with one social media user questioning why there have been two Tube strikes in a week and describing the disruption as “really annoying”.
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The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union will meet with London Underground again next week in an attempt to resolve their dispute.
The union “will try and make progress,” says Jared Wood, RMT’s London transport regional organiser.
“We will continue to say to them, look, if you can lift the threat of these things being imposed on people, and agree to talk about the terms of the new arrangements you want to bring in, then we can have some constructive discussions hopefully,” he told the BBC.
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The Elizabeth line, buses, London Overground, DLR and tram services are running as normal today – but they’re expected to be much busier than usual.
On Tuesday, many commuters were left queueing for buses and taxis as London was battered by rain, while some reported being stuck on train platforms for an hour.
“During the strikes, we expect some disruption to journeys on all lines,” TfL warned.
The Elizabeth line is expected to be busy today(Image: Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
Fresh strike action is expected to hit London bus routes later this month following a dispute around scheduling and driver fatigue, the Unite union said.
More than 300 drivers at the East London Bus & Coach Company, part of Stagecoach, plan to walk out again from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 14.
Commuters are warned that services operating from Bow bus garage, including those that go to central London and Westfield Stratford City shopping centre, will be impacted.
The affected routes are: 8, N8, 25, N25, 45, 205, N205 and 425.
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With the Piccadilly line partially suspended today, London Undergound services to and from Heathrow Airport won’t be running.
Heathrow Airport said on X that rail replacement buses will replace the Piccadilly line today.
But commuters may also opt for the Elizabeth line, which is currently reporting a good service, or the Heathrow Express – which connects the airport with Liverpool Street station.
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South Western Railway has warned commuters to plan their onward journeys today as Tube strikes are likely to impact regional services too.
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The RMT Union says its members have made their concerns clear but that “London Underground have failed to address them.”
Tube drivers represented by the ASLEF trade union have however welcomed the four-day week proposals and will not be on strike today.
ASLEF, which represents just over half of London’s Tube drivers, said the voluntary four-day working week gives drivers an extra 35 days off a year “in return for some fairly minor changes to working conditions”.
“It will be the first strike in the history of the trade union movement designed to stop people having a shorter working week and more time off,” a spokesperson said.
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Londoners could be in for a stormy day, with forecasters warning of heavy showers and the risk of thunderstorms across the capital.
Showers are expected throughout much of the day, with the potential of storms later on, possibly during the evening rush hour.
Heavy rain is forecast across the capital(Image: gavin rodgers/pixel8000)
Tube drivers walked out at midnight for a second time this week in a dispute over TfL’s plans to introduce a voluntary four-day work week for drivers. Those who opt in would work longer shifts across four days instead of five.
The RMT has raised concerns about longer working days and the potential impact on fatigue. TfL says the scheme is voluntary and that drivers who do not want to take part can remain on their current working arrangements.
The RMT picket line at the main Arnos Grove depot in North London on Tuesday(Image: Getty Images)
A commuter heading to a friend’s house today summed up the frustration facing many Londoners during the latest Tube strike.
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Today’s Tube strike is set to hit some parts of London harder than others, with areas heavily reliant on the Piccadilly, Circle and Metropolitan lines facing the biggest disruption.
Central London is expected to feel the impact most sharply, as problems on one line can quickly ripple across the wider network where routes are closely connected.
But commuters in areas served by alternative travel links – including the Elizabeth line, London Overground, DLR and National Rail services – may find it easier to get around.
Places like Stratford are likely to benefit from having more routes, although trains are expected to be far busier than usual as passengers switch routes.
Some routes will be much busier than normal(Image: Getty Images)
Multiple TfL lines are already facing severe disruption ahead of this morning’s rush hour. The Cirle and Waterloo & City lines are suspended, while the Northern, Piccadilly, District and Bakerloo lines are reporting severe delays.
The walkout began at one past midnight and will continue until 23:59 BST. Here’s how each line is currently affected:
Bakerloo – Severe delays on the entire line, part suspended between Harrow & Wealdstone and Queen’s Park.
Central – Minor delays on the entire line, part suspended between Liverpool Street and White City.
Circle – Entire line suspended.
District – Severe delays on the entire line.
Hammersmith & City – Minor delays on the entire line.
Metropolitan – Minor delays on the entire line, part suspended between Baker Street and Aldgate.
Mildmay – Minor delays between Clapham Junction and Willesden Junction.
Northern – Severe delays on the entire line.
Piccadilly – Severe delays between Cockfosters and Arnos Grove, part suspended between Arnos Grove and Uxbridge, Arnos Grove and Heathrow Terminal 5, and Heathrow Terminal 4 and Arnos Grove.
Victoria – Minor delays on the entire line.
Waterloo & City – Entire line suspended.
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Central London is expected to be particularly affected throughout the strike as Tube lines are closely interconnected.
There is likely to be more of a knock-on effect versus areas that have alternative routes such as the Elizabeth line and London Overground, where switching routes will be easier.
TfL have warned however that alternative services will be busier than usual.
Commuters boarding buses outside Charing Cross Station this afternoon(Image: Getty Images)
As part of the Piccadilly line is suspended due to strike action there are severe delays on the rest of the line.
There is no service between Arnos Grove and Heathrow Airport / Uxbridge.
Service is operating between Arnos Grove and Cockfosters every 15 minutes.
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The rest of the Central line that is not impacted by the strike action is facing minor delays.
There is no service between White City and Liverpool Street.
There are minor delays on the rest of the line due to strike action.
Service is operating between White City and Ealing Broadway / West Ruislip and between Liverpool Street and Epping / Woodford via Hainault every 10 minutes.
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There is no service between Queen’s Park and Harrow & Wealdstone on the Bakerloo line.
TfL are reporting severe delays on the rest of the line due to strike action.
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All bus services will be running as usual today.
TfL have said that although the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, buses and trams are running as normal, expect them to be busier than usual due to the strikes.
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As disruption is expected today, TfL have advised that passengers can stay updated on the TfL Go app. It will provide live updates on major disruption throughout the day.
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The strike action lasts until 11.59pm this evening, with normal service expected to resume on Friday. However, there may still be some delays as usual service resumes.
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The Elizabeth line will be operating as usual, however there is likely to be congestion on the line due to a lack of services on other lines.
Stations on the Elizabeth line and carriages are anticipated to be much busier today as commuters use it as an alternative, as was the case on Tuesday.
Commuters exit the Elizabeth Line in Liverpool Street station during a strike by Tube drivers
There is currently no service on the entire line due to strike action across the network. Services will begin to pick up after 6.30am according to TfL.
Here is a current update:
- Bakerloo – suspended
- Central – suspended
- Circle – suspended
- District – suspended
- Hammersmith & City – suspended
- Metropolitan – suspended
- Northern – suspended
- Piccadilly – suspended
- Victoria – suspended
- Waterloo & City – suspended
Olivia BeesonToday05:03 BST
Less people were moving around London on Tuesday due to the Tube strikes, highlighting how much of an impact they can have on the economy.
A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said: “As Tube strikes take place across London, our mobility data shows footfall is down across some of the city’s busiest areas, including the City, Westminster and King’s Cross.
“The figures provide a real-time snapshot of how London responds when major transport disruption hits. Whether people are working from home, changing their commute or staying closer to where they live, reliable mobile and broadband connectivity plays an increasingly important role in keeping people connected throughout the day.”
Olivia BeesonToday03:44 BST
No service is expected on the Circle line, the Piccadilly line, the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
TfL expect to run services on other Tube lines on both days, but levels will vary.