Tube strike triggers travel turmoil bringing London to standstill

A Tube strike on the London Underground system hit Londoners on Sunday, plunging London into a travel meltdown and disrupting millions of routines.

The five-day strike came on the heels of the members’ of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) protests over poor wages, extended work hours, and worsening working conditions.

Owing to protests, all underground lines will severely be affected, bringing London to halt as no service will be available from Monday, September 8 to Thursday, September 11.

Moreover, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will be bereft of any transport service on Tuesday, September 8 and Thursday, September 11. Elizabeth Line stations will work with limited stops.

Given the widespread strike, the Elizabeth line and Overground will be much more severely occupied with commuters.

In response to protests, Transport for London (TfL) has decided to offer a 3.4 percent pay rise and further positive engagements with the union workers.

However, according to TfL, reducing the contractual 35-hour week is “neither practical nor affordable.”

London’s Underground usually caters to up to 5 million passenger journeys, taking place each weekday, which has 272 stations and 11 lines that pass through the city and its surrounding suburbs.

The strike will also affect the country’s economy. "We will lose £600-£700 a day. One day might be bearable but it will be impossible to recuperate that total cost," according to Prasanna Callaghan, owner of Crumpets Cafe in Buckingham Gate, central London.

The Tube is expected to open on Friday, September 12 at 8:00.