Travel misery for millions as London hit by Tube strike (Roundup)

Sep 7, 2010, 16:18 GMT

London - A 24-hour strike by workers on the London Underground caused severe disruption and delays for millions of travellers Tuesday, trade unions and transport organizations said.

The government condemned the timing of the walkout, saying that striking workers were damaging the economy at a time of austerity and undermining the case for further investment in the Tube system.

'These Tube strikes will be bad for passengers, bad for business and bad for London,' Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said. The strikes are estimated to cost the London economy around 50 million pounds (76.5 million dollars).

Maintenance staff, drivers and station employees joined the strike called by unions in protest against staff cuts which they claim pose a threat to security on the line and at unmanned stations.

More than 3 million journeys are made on the London Tube network, the oldest in the world, every day.

In the process of modernization and cost-cutting, operators Transport for London (TfL) plan to axe 800 jobs, including on platforms and at ticket offices.

As services on most lines were suspended or delayed Tuesday, TfL called on passengers to seek other forms of transport. Many took to their bicycles, walked, or just stayed at home.

An extra 100 buses and 10,000 more passenger journeys on riverboat services on the Thames have been laid on. Escorted bike rides will also be operating.

Bob Crow, leader of the powerful RMT union, joined pickets at King's Cross station Tuesday. He apologized to travellers for the 'inconvenience' but said he was not shedding 'crocodile tears' over the walkout.

Spokesman Mike Brown of London Underground said nearly 40 per cent - or 194 out of 500 Tube trains - had been operating despite the strike.

'Londoners will face some disruption, but the city is not paralysed and people will still be able to get around.'