Tube usage down by 41% during strike, TfL says

1 hour ago

Jess WarrenLondon

News image — Passenger figures for buses, the Overground and Elizabeth line were up on Tuesday

EPA Commuters get off from a terminated tube service at Liverpool Street station during a 24-hour strike by London Underground tube drivers. — Passenger figures for buses, the Overground and Elizabeth line were up on Tuesday

Usage on the London Underground was down by 41% during Tuesday's Tube strike, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed.

It comes as Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union members prepare to walk out again on Thursday from 00:01 to 23:59 BST.

Services were disrupted on Tuesday, with no trains on some lines and delays or part suspensions on others, after RMT members walked out over plans for a voluntary 35-hour, four-day week for drivers.

TfL said despite the drop in Underground usage, passenger figures for buses, the Overground and Elizabeth line were up by 5%, 9% and 19% respectively.

The RMT said its strike on Tuesday "was strongly supported by RMT members with well attended picket lines at Tube stations and depots".

London Tube strikes: What you need to know

Members of the union are due to strike again on Thursday after accusing TfL of failing to "provide assurances" over concerns about longer working hours and driver safety.

TfL said the proposed changes were voluntary, adding: "We continue to urge the RMT to work with us to resolve their questions on the proposed four-day week and to suspend any future action while that work is completed."

An RMT spokesperson added: "We are available at any time for talks to try to find a negotiated settlement and expect to meet the employer next week."

Reuters Tube trains are parked at the London Underground Boston Manor depot, during a 24-hour Tube strike. — RMT members will strike again from 00:01 to 23:59 BST on Thursday

TfL thanked customers "for their patience" on Tuesday.

"Oyster and contactless card taps were only down by around 10% across the whole day, showing that Londoners and visitors to the city were still able to travel despite the strike action," a spokesperson said.

The transport body said that across the day, more than 60% of Tube drivers had turned up to work.

During Thursday's strike, no service is expected on the Circle line, Piccadilly line, Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.

There will be live page coverage of the Tube strikes on the BBC News website on Thursday.

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