A second day of London Underground strikes is set to cause significant travel disruption across the capital on Thursday, as the RMT union confirmed its action would proceed. The 24-hour stoppage, the second this week, is part of a dispute over the introduction of a four-day working week for drivers.
Drivers' Turnout and Impact
Transport for London (TfL) reported that 60% of drivers reported for work during Tuesday's strike, a figure that suggests many RMT members chose not to participate. This higher-than-expected turnout helped keep most of the network operational, with the Jubilee line running almost 90% of its normally scheduled services. Despite this, passengers are advised to check before traveling, as little or no service is expected on several lines on Thursday.
Union and TfL Stance
The RMT union has accused TfL of attempting to force through changes to working conditions, while TfL maintains that the proposals are voluntary. No further talks have taken place since negotiations at Acas ended without resolution on Monday. TfL has urged the union to call off the strike, but the RMT declined to comment. Talks between the two parties are expected next week.
Services Affected
On Thursday, no service is expected on the Circle line, Piccadilly line, and central sections of the Metropolitan and Central lines. Other lines will start later and finish earlier, with less frequent services. However, the Elizabeth line, London Overground, national rail, and DLR services will run as normal. Buses are likely to be crowded and slowed by increased road congestion.
Passenger Impact and Data
Despite the strike, TfL noted that Oyster and contactless card taps were only down by around 10% on Tuesday, indicating that many Londoners and visitors were still able to travel. Tube journeys were down by 41%, but bus, Overground, and Elizabeth line usage saw significant increases. Services returned to normal on Wednesday morning with no residual impact.
A TfL spokesperson expressed gratitude to passengers for their patience and reiterated the call for the RMT to work with them to resolve questions about the proposed four-day week. The RMT has not scheduled any further strikes on the Underground beyond this week.
