Some London Underground stations still had their doors closed this morning despite strike action ending yesterday.
Commuters were left furious after turning up to stations across the capital despite Tfl warning that some services would start later than usual.
The Underground strike yesterday continued to have a major impact on this morning’s rush hour, with services not due to start until mid-morning.
It comes as thousands of rail staff across the UK are also on strike today and travellers have been warned to expect busier services on those that are running.
Anastasiya Stravolemova said angry commuters started ‘kicking’ the gates at one tube station that stayed closed this morning.
She told Metro.co.uk: ‘I left my Chelsea flat at 7.15 am this morning and walked to Putney Bridge as I waited and waited for a bus and nothing was coming.
‘Upon arriving a massive crowd was outside and at first I thought someone fainted but then I realised the station doors were locked with staff inside refusing to open them.
‘People started pushing and kicking the doors and shouting and in 15 mins or so they opened. I took the 85 bus as I thought “I won’t be able to survive in that crowd.”
‘The bus was fully packed just after two stops and at Roehampton Vale it terminated with no explanation.
‘Then we got off and waited on the road. I was lucky as a Kingston friend passed with their car and gave me a lift to the University.
‘However, I started worrying how would I get back in the evening as apparently buses are my only option.’
Tube workers are taking industrial action over the London Underground funding structure, job losses, conditions, and pension arrangements.
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch recently published an open letter to the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
It concluded by saying: ‘As you are aware RMT is campaigning for the restoration of TfL operational funding.
‘No other comparable city to London seeks to run its public transport system without an operational subsidy and the folly of attempting to do so has been cruelly exposed by the demand shocks of the pandemic.
‘TfL’s need for emergency funding from government has led to dependence on striking deals with a spiteful administration with an agenda to drive down the living standards of transport workers.
‘I’m sure you will agree that there is no sustainable future for TfL on this basis.
‘In advance of our strike action on these disputes in November 2022, my union made the offer to London Underground management to suspend our strike action in return for a moratorium on job cuts and changes to agreements on working conditions and an assurance that attacks on our pensions would cease.’
Glynn Barton, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘Strikes are bad news for everyone and we are encouraging them to withdraw this action and continue to engage with us to avoid disruption to our customers.
‘Our advice for our customers is clear; please check before you travel as strike action impacts varying services throughout the week. Expect services to be busy and please allow extra time to complete your journeys.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.