In pictures: Faces of the Tube strike - weary Londoners battle their way to work

 
Exhaustion, anger and more anger: The faces of some London commuters today
Hannah Al-Othman9 July 2015

From blank resignation, to extreme anger and the odd rare bout of happiness, these are the expressions of commuters enduring today's Tube strike.

They were faced with overcrowding and long waits on their way into work this morning and their faces really tell the story.

It was a rough start to the day for many, who had to battle long queues at bus stops and crowds at overground stations. There were reports of scuffles to get onto packed buses just to get to work.

The 24 hour walkout, the biggest in more than a decade, forced commuters above ground, and the misery caused by delays and overcrowding could be seen on the faces of many.

Death glare: this man looks angry as he waits for his bus to work. Picture: Jeremy Selwyn
Jeremy Selwyn

This man, with his cheeks puffed out and a narrow-eyed stare, was pictured among a huge throng of commuters waiting for a bus at Stratford station.

Puffed cheeks: This man was waiting for a bus at Stratford Picture: Jeremy Selwyn
TUBE STRIKE DAY STRATFORD BUS QUEUES PICTURE JEREMY SELWYN 09/07/2015

Those who were lucky enough to get a seat used the journey as a chance to catch up on sleep, like this man, pictured at Upminster on board a C2C train .

A morning commuters catches up on sleep. Picture: PA
Nick Ansell/PA

Delays started earlier than the normal morning rush. Full buses sailed past people waiting at stops, leaving people anxiously looking around to see when the next one would show up. Police were called to maintain order at some of the busiest.

One traveller said police had been called to a bus stop after the driver refused to move because the vehicle was so full.

Not up for it: This woman bore a pained expression as she waited for a bus this morning Picture: Jeremy Selwyn
Jeremy Selwyn

A spokesman from the Metropolitan Police said that while he was not aware of any reports, it would "make sense" with such large crowds in different areas today for them to factor any disruption into their policing.

Writing on Twitter, the commuter said: "Absolute carnage on 113 bus. Driver refuses to drive as bus is too packed! Police was called and they just arrived! £tubestrike"

Eyes out: A woman anxiously peers for the next bus Picture: Jeremy Selwyn
TUBE STRIKE DAY STRATFORD BUS QUEUES PICTURE JEREMY SELWYN 09/07/2015

Even those who cycled to work were hit by the strike, as they were forced to navigate the extra cars and buses on the capital's roads.

Mustn't fall: This woman found a fun way to beat the strike
Commuters struggle with travel to work as all tube stations are closed as Unions strike over night time working Picture by GLENN COPUS©

Some commuters found more innovative ways to get from A to B. Like this woman, who was spotted concentrating on the road ahead of her as she made her way to work on her scooter.

A woman uses a scooter to beat the rush. Picture: Glenn Copus
Commuters struggle with travel to work as all tube stations are closed as Unions strike over night time working Picture by GLENN COPUS©

Many simply opted to walk in. London Bridge was far busier than usual.

This man's gloomy expression was captured as he walked to work on London Bridge Picture: Alex Lentati
Tube Strike Day London Bridge Alex Lentati

Thousands of people crossed it on foot in the rush hour today, including this bloke, who didn't appear too pleased with the whole situation.

A female commuter looks tired on her way into work this morning. Picture: Jeremy Selwyn
Jeremy Selwyn

But there was happiness amid all the crowds, as this woman's dreamlike expression shows. She was pictured cheerily chatting to a pal as she waited for a bus at Stratford.

Commuters caught up in the chaos took to twitter to express their frustrations.

One user, Enny said: "The roads are unbearable, long queues at bus station, not enough buses at all."

While Jenny Dickie tweeted: "1 hour and a half later and I'm still sat on the bus. #tubestrike #tfl #angrydoesntcomeclose."

And Ariana Safari posted: "#tubestrike in London? I think it's the zombie apocalypse...this is chaos."

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