London Tube strike hits commuters as accusations fly (Roundup)

Oct 4, 2010, 16:10 GMT

London - Public transport in London was severely disrupted Monday due to a 24-hour strike by drivers and other staff on the Tube, London's underground transport system.

Transport for London (TfL) said three out of 11 Tube lines were closed while services on the other lines were disrupted. Three million people travel on the network every day.

However, the transport operators said three-quarters of Tube stations were open and claimed that more services were running than during a previous strike last month.

Commuters used cars, buses, taxis, river boats and bicycles to beat the strike, walked to work or just stayed at home.

The two unions involved, the RMT and the TSSA, said the protest was against planned cuts of 800 staff, mainly at ticket offices and on station platforms.

Union leaders contested TfL's claims, saying that the strike had caused widespread disruption and led to the suspension or partial suspension of services on all lines.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, apologized to commuters for what he said was a 'nakedly and blatantly political strike.'

'This strike will not succeed and it must not succeed. We will get London moving, because we must get London moving,' said Johnson.

The strike, the second within the last four weeks, is due to end later Monday.

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