TfL Tube strike: Total shutdown of Tube set to cost London £300 million

 
Busy bus network: Crowds of commuters wait for a bus in Stratford, east London (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn)
Jeremy Selwyn

Desperate London commuters battled their way to work today as business leaders warned that the first total Tube shutdown for 13 years could cost up to £300 million.

About 20,000 staff from four rail unions refused to work in a stoppage causing disruption over three days that started during last night’s rush hour.

The strikes officially end at 9.30pm tonight but services are not expected to return to normal until tomorrow morning.

The dispute left the normally crowded West End deserted last night with a second unusually quiet evening expected tonight.

Unions launched the action over pay and conditions for staff working on the night-time Tube services starting in September. There was also a separate strike on First Great Western trains to and from Paddington.

The shutdown was far worse than previous walkouts since 2002 as all 11 lines closed completely for the day.

Transport for London published a stark notice on its website: “There is no Tube service on Thursday.”

Across London commuters fought their way on to packed buses, Overground trains, the DLR and riverboat services in a scramble to make it into work that was described as “absolute carnage”.

Police were called when one driver refused to take his bus on the 113 route as it was so packed.

One passenger Joe Krishnan said in a tweet: “I’ve met hell... in the form of a London bus.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en-gb"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I've met hell...in the form of a London bus. 45 mins from Tower of London and only just at St Paul's. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TubeStrike?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-8641-https://twitter.com/hashtag/TubeStrike?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#TubeStrike</a>— Joe Krishnan (@joekrishnan) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/joekrishnan/status/619061902799425536" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-8641-https://twitter.com/joekrishnan/status/619061902799425536" data-vars-event-id="c23">July 9, 2015</a>

Many offices were reported to have been near empty at the start of the working day with small firms worst hit.

Smoothie maker Innocent posted a picture of a completely empty office with the comment: “Electric atmosphere in the office today #TubeStrike.”

The FSB estimated the cost of day’s shutdown at about £300 million. In Soho and Mayfair last night some restaurants reported a drop in trade of as much as 60 per cent on a normal July evening.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Can't get a seat in this place for love nor money today <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TubeStrike?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-8641-https://twitter.com/hashtag/TubeStrike?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#TubeStrike</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&amp;id=222025&amp;p=http://t.co/lXUripo7PP" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-8641-http://t.co/lXUripo7PP" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/lXUripo7PP</a>— innocent drinks (@innocent) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/innocent/status/619072948696129540" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-8641-https://twitter.com/innocent/status/619072948696129540" data-vars-event-id="c23">July 9, 2015</a>

Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground, described the strike as “totally unnecessary”.

He said 137 extra drivers had been recruited to operate the Night Tube, and accused union leaders of failing to engage in talks.

He said: “No one is being asked to work any more hours and most staff will not be affected at all.” RMT leader Mick Cash said: “The strike action is rock solid across all lines and depots.”

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