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Rush-hour chaos looming on Tube Rush-hour chaos in Tube strike
(about 2 hours later)
Commuters in London face rush-hour misery as Tube workers continue a 72-hour walkout over pensions and jobs. Commuters in London are enduring rush-hour misery as Tube workers continue a 72-hour walkout over pensions and jobs.
The strike by the RMT union, part of a row following the collapse of Metronet, has closed two-thirds of the Tube network and affected 10 lines. The strike by the RMT union, in a row following the collapse of maintenance firm Metronet, has closed two-thirds of the Tube network and affected 10 lines.
London Underground said it was "difficult to be optimistic" that services would return to normal before Friday morning. London Underground said services may not return to normal before Friday morning.
Only the Jubilee and Northern lines are operating a full service.Only the Jubilee and Northern lines are operating a full service.
They are maintained by another firm along with the Piccadilly line, which is partly suspended due to the strike.They are maintained by another firm along with the Piccadilly line, which is partly suspended due to the strike.
I did not feel safe at any stage during my three-and-a-half hour epic journey Commuter Manny The industrial action began at 1800 BST on Monday. Long queues built up at bus stops and taxi ranks as commuters struggled to find alternative ways of getting home. The 10 lines affected are the Bakerloo, Central, Victoria, Circle, District, East London, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Waterloo & City and Piccadilly.
Ricky Bonner, from Hayes in Middlesex, told the BBC News website his commute took five hours on Monday night, instead of the usual 90 minutes. The industrial action began at 1800 BST on Monday. Long queues built up at bus stops and taxi ranks as commuters struggled to find alternative ways of getting home.
Another commuter named Manny said he was forced to travel on a severely overcrowded bus. Ricky Bonner, from Hayes in Middlesex, said his commute took five hours on Monday night, instead of the usual 90 minutes.
"Safety has to be taken into consideration here and I did not feel safe at any stage during my three-and-a-half hour epic journey, which I will have to repeat all week and probably next week if this is not sorted out." Fred Riding, from Sutton, Surrey, said: "I work at Regents Park open air theatre and our audience was half what it should have been, as no-one wanted to risk the journey home."
And Fred Riding from Sutton, Surrey, said: "I work at Regents Park open air theatre and our audience was half what it should have been, as no-one wanted to risk the journey home."
'Severe' disruption'Severe' disruption
Unions have been seeking guarantees there will be no job losses, forced transfers or cuts in pensions as a result of maintenance firm Metronet's collapse in July, when it went into administration. Tube managers say they have met all the union's demands
A spokesman for Transport for London (TfL) said: "The disruption across the network was severe last night, and unfortunately we expect a similar impact on today's services. Unions have been seeking guarantees there will be no job losses, forced transfers or cuts in pensions as a result of Metronet's collapse in July, when it went into administration.
AFFECTED LINES BakerlooCentralVictoriaCircleDistrictEast LondonHammersmith & CityMetropolitanWaterloo & CityPiccadilly class="" href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/">Latest travel news (TfL website) A spokesman for Transport for London (TfL) said: "The disruption across the network last night was severe and totally unacceptable.
"We would like to offer some hope to our customers of an early end to this dispute, but it is difficult to be optimistic given the RMT's continuing failure to respond to a categoric guarantee on jobs and pensions provided by the Mayor, Transport for London, the administrator and Metronet." "We share Londoners' view that this disruption is intolerable, as it serves no purpose."
He added: "The RMT have been given cast iron guarantees that no staff will lose jobs, pensions or be transferred as a result of Metronet's collapse.
"The other unions have accepted these guarantees. The RMT have ignored them, harming Londoners and their union."
The strike went ahead despite appeals by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who branded it one of the most "purposeless" ever called.The strike went ahead despite appeals by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who branded it one of the most "purposeless" ever called.
TfL letter to Bob CrowTfL letter to Bob Crow
Two other unions, Unite and the TSSA, decided not to walk out after being given assurances.Two other unions, Unite and the TSSA, decided not to walk out after being given assurances.
But the TSSA said its 360 members would take part in a second 72-hour stoppage planned for next Monday if a matter concerning pensions was not resolved.But the TSSA said its 360 members would take part in a second 72-hour stoppage planned for next Monday if a matter concerning pensions was not resolved.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said he had received only "qualified assurances" covering the period of administration.RMT general secretary Bob Crow said he had received only "qualified assurances" covering the period of administration.
A TfL spokesman said all three Tube unions had received all the assurances they were seeking. TfL released a letter it sent to Mr Crow which outlines those promises.A TfL spokesman said all three Tube unions had received all the assurances they were seeking. TfL released a letter it sent to Mr Crow which outlines those promises.
Striking RMT members will lobby the Department for Transport on Tuesday as part of the union's campaign for Tube maintenance work to be brought back inhouse. Striking RMT members will lobby the Department for Transport on Tuesday as part of the union's campaign for Tube maintenance work to be brought back in house.
Did the strike affect your journey home? Have you made alternative travel plans? Send us your comments with the form below. Or send us your text messages to 61124 Has the strike affected your journey to work? Have you made alternative travel plans? Send us your comments with the form below. Or send us your text messages to 61124
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