City chaos on the cards: Here’s what you need to know about today’s Tube strike
Yes, City workers, it is time to brace yourselves, after the RMT union announced a fresh walkout which will cause heavy travel disruption in the capital throughout today.
Here's what you need to know about the action…
Read more: Every route from Waterloo station to Bank, ranked
When will the strike take place?
Drivers walked out from 9pm on Tuesday 21 February and are striking until 9pm tonight.
What it's about?
The row's over what RMT has called the "forced displacement" of eight drivers from their home depots to others in central London. The union says if London Underground proceeds with the changes "they will start shunting drivers around at the drop of a hat".
London Underground claims the staff were under-utilised and there are agreements with the trade unions allowing them to move such drivers "to the places where they are really needed".
Which lines and stations will it affect?
The Central and Waterloo & City Lines, though there may also be a knock-on impact on others as they get busier as a result.
What's running when?
Here's how TfL is envisaging service running with no service east of Leytonstone on the Central Line – and no Waterloo & City Line – for all of today:
At peak times there will be limited service with trains running:
- About every five minutes between North Acton and Leytonstone at peak times (every 10 mins off peak)
- About every 10 minutes between North Acton and West Ruislip / Ealing Broadway (every 20 mins off peak)
Essentially, this is how service on the line is expected to look:
What will the bus situation be?
A special bus shuttle service will call at Epping, Debden, Loughton and Chingford, to provide connections to London Overground services.
Any stations/lines in particular to avoid?
If you can, steer clear of the Central Line (obviously), otherwise TfL Rail between Romford and Stratford is expected to be busier, so too the London Overground between Liverpool Street and Chingford. And TfL is expecting the Victoria Line – especially Walthamstow Central and the Jubilee Line between London Bridge and Waterloo to be busier.
Brace yourselves for queues galore at Ilford and Chingford stations at peak times too, as well as Leytonstone.
Where can I find out more?
Check out TfL's Tube site which has more details on the upcoming strike and all the other services available.