Londoners largely shrugged off two days of Tube strikes by the RMT union this week, with many adapting their travel habits to keep the capital moving. Data from Transport for London (TfL) shows that as of 3pm on Thursday, there were 2.74 million unique Oyster and contactless card tap-ins, slightly above the 2.72 million recorded on Tuesday.
The Elizabeth line saw an 18% increase in usage by 10am on Thursday compared to the same day last year, with daily journeys likely approaching one million on each strike day. London Overground use rose 12%, bus boardings increased by about 2%, and cycling was up 22% compared to a year ago. Central and inner London roads were around 10% busier than normal.
Tube usage, however, dropped by 43% as many commuters switched to alternative routes or worked from home. Just under 60% of Tube drivers reported for work on Thursday, up slightly from 57.2% on Tuesday. TfL noted that 91% of Jubilee line drivers, 80% of Bakerloo drivers, and 75% of Metropolitan line drivers were at work.
The strike, called by the RMT over a dispute about a four-day week for drivers earning around £74,000 a year, has raised questions about its effectiveness. The union claims the four-day week is a “fake” that compresses five days into four, raising safety concerns. However, the Aslef drivers’ union has backed the reforms.
Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor said: “Commuters are showing their resilience and finding other ways to get around London despite the mess caused by Labour’s lack of leadership in London.” TfL confirmed that services were running on most lines, with a good service on the Jubilee line for much of the day.
