London commuters are facing packed buses and traffic gridlocks as Tube strikes shut down nearly all services
"I left early to get ahead, but obviously everyone else did": Commuters tell us of travel chaos including queues for escalators on the busy Elizabeth line
Workers walked out on Sunday over pay and conditions - the Tube isn't expected to reopen until Friday morning
Buses, the Elizabeth line and London Overground are still operating, and e-bikes have since a significant increase in the number of trips
Downing Street calls on RMT union and Transport for London to "get back around the table" to bring the strike to an end
It's unlikely this strike will resolve the issues, transport correspondent Tom Edwards writes
Harry Low
Reporting from Kings Cross St Pancras station
Image source, BBC/ Harry LowA handful of RMT workers - and a dog - have formed a picket line outside King’s Cross St Pancras station this morning.
The union wants its demands for a 32 hour working week to be met. It says TfL’s refusal has led to this walkout.
Following our earlier post about business owners saying they could lose out on hundreds of pounds a day due to the Tube strike this week, the RMT union has sent over a response.
"We are not going on strike to disrupt small businesses or the public," said a spokesperson.
"This strike is going ahead because of the intransigent approach of TfL management and their refusal to even consider a small reduction in the working week in order to help reduce fatigue and the ill health effects of long-term shift work on our members.
“We believe a shorter working week is fair and affordable particularly when you consider TfL has a surplus of £166m last year and a £10bn annual operating budget."
They added that there were 2,000 fewer employees on the Underground since 2018, with members "feeling the strain of extreme shift patterns".
Imogen James
Live reporter
Hello, I'm back with my commuting woes. You can catch up with my journey with my earlier posts.
Long story short, I got to Paddington after about an hour from east London, and after queuing to exit that station, I stared in horror at the bus crowds.
I started walking, texting my boss at the same time. Hope was lost.
But like a mirage, a white van opened, and inside it were electric bikes by the plenty.
I didn't hang around and nabbed one. They were all gone in minutes.
Saved by a noble green steed, I cycled off into the distance, not believing my luck.
It was the first time I've cycled in central London, and it was very busy on the roads.
But I parked safe and sound after around 15 minutes, and now I've plonked myself in the basement at my work, ready to get going, finally.
Usual commute: 35 minutes, one bus, one Tube
Today: 90 minutes, London Overground, Tube, walk, failed bus, electric bike
Nicky Shiller
Reporting from outside St Pancras station
Image source, BBC/ Nicky ShillerI'm now at King's Cross St Pancras which is the busiest underground station on the network. Six Tube lines pass through here - the Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Northern, Victoria and Piccadilly.
Normally at this time in the morning the platforms would be full of people. Not today. The gates are firmly shut. In front of them are some RMT workers who are taking the action in their dispute over pay.
St Pancras is the terminal that Eurostar trains arrive into. Today those tourists will have to find an alternative way to get to their hotels. I heard one man ask someone at the Eurostar desk, "can you help, I need to get to Woolwich".
I fear the staff will have many more of those questions today.
Image source, European Pressphoto AgencyNational Rail has put out a helpful, albeit probably unwelcome, update, external on the train operators with routes into London that will be affected by disruption this week.
Chiltern Railways customers travelling from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire to London Marylebone will be impacted all week because trains on that route run over London Underground tracks and call at Tube stations.
On Monday, trains will run non-stop between Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire and Marylebone, while South Ruislip station will be closed all day. Commuters on Wednesday will face the same disruption.
Then on Tuesday and Thursday, a shuttle will run between Aylesbury Vale Parkway and Great Missenden, with no onward connections south of the latter station. There could also be additional minor timetable changes before 09:00 BST on Friday.
Great Northern Services which normally run to and from Moorgate will be diverted to London Kings Cross, or revised to start or end at Finsbury Park before 07:30 and after 22:30 on Monday and Wednesday. There will also be no service at Old Street.
The same disruption will affect services before 07:30 on Tuesday and Thursday.
London Northwestern Railway services aren't stopping at Wembley Central or Harrow & Wealdstone in either direction on Monday and Wednesday before 07:30 and after 20:00, and on Tuesday and Thursday before 08:30.
Meanwhile, Thameslink services won't stop at Farringdon in either direction on Monday and Wednesday before 07:30 and after 22:30, and on Tuesday and Thursday before 08:00.
Harry Craig
BBC London
The Elizabeth line is now serving all stations, after central London stations between Bond Street and Whitechapel opened later than usual this morning.
Bond Street was the last station to open, at 08:09 — nearly 40 minutes later than planned.
There was initially some confusion at stations and on social media, with commuters unaware that Elizabeth line services before 07:30 would not serve central London stations.
Image source, BBC / Harry CraigHarry Low
BBC London News
There are a large number of commuters on two wheels this morning as people look for alternative ways to complete their journeys at the start of the working week.
Image source, BBC/ Harry LowThose feeling less energetic are looking for taxis.
There is a long queue for one of London’s black cabs snaking outside the front of King’s Cross.
Those at the front - among them civil servants trying to get to Whitehall following the government reshuffle - have been waiting for around 20 minutes.
Nicky Schiller
BBC News
I've just walked down the Euston Road in London passing closed Tube stations at Great Portland Street, Warren Street and Euston Square. At each one I saw people going up and then realising they were closed.
The other thing that struck me was how many people were walking - or running - for this time of the morning.
There were queues at all the bus stops I passed - commuters hoping to get on to the next one.
But that might be hard - looking into many of the buses they were packed and standing room only.
One thing I didn't see was any black cabs with the orange light on for hire. I think the cabbies will be having a very busy morning.
Meghan Owen
Work and money correspondent, BBC London
Image source, HANDOUT"We will lose £600-£700 a day. One day might be bearable but it will be impossible to recuperate that total cost," says Prasanna Callaghan, owner of Crumpets Cafe in Buckingham Gate, central London.
He's one of many business owners fearful of the economic impact of the five-day Tube strike, which began on Sunday.
"I understand frustrations around pay but the unions had a pay rise recently and others haven't had that privilege," Callaghan says.
"Think about who you are hurting. It's the small businesses in central London and people coming here as tourists - they can't get around."
The RMT has been approached for comment.
You can read more on how businesses say they will be affected by the strike here.
Imogen James
Live reporter
OK, I think I jinxed myself with my previous post.
Liverpool Street was mayhem, with people queuing both ways in and out of the Elizabeth line platform. Then there were queues for the actual Tubes.
The tannoy announced that from Liverpool Street, no stations were open until it got to Paddington. Bond Street is my stop, in the middle of those unserved stations.
Now I’m beelining to Paddington, and hoping to catch a bus. Our train keeps stopping due to queues.
Sorry boss, but I’m going to be late.
Tom Edwards
Transport Correspondent, BBC London
There is no doubt since the pandemic and the rise of home working, strikes do not have as much impact as they used to.
However, not everyone can work from home, and central London businesses, retailers, bars and restaurants will particularly suffer.
The Centre for Economics and Business Research told the Evening Standard, , externalthat this week's Tube and DLR strikes could impose a direct economic cost of about £230m, reflecting the loss of roughly 700,000 working days across both TfL staff and the wider commuter base.
It also said the true economic hit was likely to be significantly higher once the indirect effects were considered.
BusinessLDN told BBC London that Tube strikes have a direct impact not only on businesses but also on the global reputation of the capital.
Imogen James
Live reporter
My usual 35-minute commute has doubled in time today, but it’s a relatively simple change.
One overground, and the Elizabeth Line.
I got to the platform just after 07:00 BST. I was only person there waiting, and felt quite smug to not encounter the busyness that people had warned of.
Then my train pulled up, packed like a tin of sardines.
At least I’m on it.
Now to encounter the Elizabeth line, which my colleague has just pointed out is already seeing disruption.
We’ll check in at 08:00, when I’m due in work!
Harry Craig
BBC London
Although TfL have said the Elizabeth line is running, it has now emerged that some central London stations won't open until later in the morning, which has caused further disruption for passengers.
I use the Elizabeth Line to commute to Bond Street from Paddington, but from what I can see, Bond Street station doesn't open until 07:30 BST and even then it seems quite limited.
Looking on social media and the TfL Go app, the same seems to be true at Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, and all other stations between Paddington and Stratford.
Narinder Kalsi
BBC News
It is approaching 07:30 BST and I've been stood at bus stop K, outside Farringdon station, since 07:00 - hoping I'd make it in to work on time.
I allowed an extra 30 minutes for my journey this morning knowing I'd have to elbow my way on to the Elizabeth line and then try and jostle for a space on the bus.
However, no sign of the number 55 but a couple that are out of service.
I've had to tell my boss I'll be late.
Chirag Trivedi
BBC News
Has your morning commute been impacted by the Tube strike? How else is this week's travel disruption affecting you?
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London Underground, which runs the Tube network, has described union demands for a cut in the 35-hour week as "simply unaffordable".
Director of customer operations Nick Dent said the reduction in hours to a 32-hour week would cost the company hundreds of millions of pounds.
He also said that this week's actions would be "very damaging" for London Underground, as separate groups of workers are walking out on different days.
See our post earlier for details of which services are impacted on each day this week.
Tom Edwards
Transport Correspondent, BBC London
Image source, Getty ImagesRMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey says working conditions affect members health and mental wellbeing
This week's strike is about pay, but also working conditions.
The Members of the Rail, Maritime And Transport union (RMT) union has concerns about "fatigue management" - that is the stress that early and late shifts are having on the health of its members.
The RMT is asking for a 32-hour work week.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey says "they are not after a king's ransom, but fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issue impacting on our members health and wellbeing".
He adds that there are also outstanding issues around staff travel arrangements and an "atmosphere of distrust has been created" as members feel like "no-one is listening to them".
Transport for London say that little or no service is expected across the Tube network today, with severe disruptions to journeys.
The Tube status website is currently showing that all lines are suspended across their entire routes.
TfL says its other services, including the Elizabeth line, London Overground and trams, will be running normally but are likely to be extremely busy.
They also warn that they may not stop at stations shared with the Tube.
Image source, Tfl
Image source, EPALondon Underground services are continuing to face disruption on Monday, after workers walked out on Sunday in rolling action over pay and conditions.
Members of the Rail, Maritime And Transport union (RMT) are staging the walkout until Thursday.
There is little or no service on all of the Tube as different parts of RMT membership walk out on different days.
The Elizabeth line and the Overground are operating but will be much busier than usual.
We're going to be bringing you live updates on this page, but you can also find out more about which lines are affected on TfL's website, external - stick with us.