Tube strike today: Which modes of transport are still running in London?

The entire tube will close due to a strike for the first time in 13 years

Kashmira Gander
Wednesday 08 July 2015 11:55 BST
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London Underground workers are launching a 24-hour strike
London Underground workers are launching a 24-hour strike

Commuters and tourists are set to face major travel disruptions across the capital on Wednesday and Thursday, as London Underground (LU) workers plan to stage a 24 hour strike.

Trains will start running down from 5pm on Wednesday to make way for RMT, Unite and TSSA members to walk out at 6:30pm, before they are joined by Aslef drivers from 9:30pm.

For the first time in 13 years, the entire Tube network will shut down over the strike, and no services will run on Thursday and disruption will likely creep into Friday morning, the LU has said.

So, how are Londoner’s supposed to get around? Here is our rundown of what you can use, and the pitfalls of each option.

Other Transport for London (TfL) trains

London Overground, DLR, TfL Rail and trams will all run as normal.

Pitfalls: These trains will be packed full of stressed commuters and TfL are recommending that travellers set off early.

Around 200 more buses will operate during the strike (Image: Getty)

Bus
Transport for London (TfL) will be putting on an extra 200 buses.

Muddying the water is the Standard Chartered Great City Race, which means diversions will be in place in the City of London of 9 July from 6:30pm until 8:30pm.

Bus routes 4, 8, 11, 21, 23, 25, 26, 43, 56, 76, 100, 133, 141, 153, 172, 214, 242, 271, 388, and 521 will be affected.

Pitfalls: If last week's heatwave is anything to go by, the buses will likely be quite hot...

River
The boats will run as normal, and TfL will send out more vessels on the strike days between Central London and Canary Wharf, and Central London and Putney.

Pitfalls: This is probably the most pleasant way of getting around as the boasts have outdoor parts, but frustrated commuters and a stretch of deep water might not be the best combination.

It may be more fun than the Tube, but the Emirates Air Line is not a hit with commuters

Emirates Air Line
This line will be running as normal.

Pitfalls: No regular commuters use the £60million cable car…so it likely won’t serve where you’re going to anyway.

Drivers
Road closures will be in place in the City of London from 18:30 until 20:30 on Thursday 9 July for the Standard Chartered Great City Race, affecting City Road, Finsbury Pavement, Chiswell Street, Beech Street, Aldersgate Street, Montague Street, King Edward Street, Newgate Street, St Martins Le Grand, Gresham Street, Wood Street, Cheapside, Poultry, Princes Street, Lothbury, Bartholomew Lane, Threadneedle Street, Old Broad Street, London Wall, Moorgate.

Pitfalls: TfL are urging commuters to stay off the roads if possible to allow public transport to move freely, so trips are unlikely to be stress free.

TfL is putting on more bikes during the strike (Image: Getty)

Cycling
Failing using your own bike or a friend’s, TfL are putting on extra cycle hubs from 07:00-11:00 and 16:00-20:00, at: Soho Square, Houghton Street (near the Strand), Finsbury Square (near Liverpool Street and Moorgate), Butler Place (between Victoria and Westminster)

Existing cycle hubs will have more cycles than usual at:Waterloo, Stonecutter Street (near Holborn and the City), Belgrove Street (near Kings Cross).

Pitfalls: Cycling can be dangerous in London. In June, a woman became the eighth person to die on London’s roads.

Uber prices will spike during busy times (Image: Getty)

Taxi
The options are almost endless, with the following services having apps: Uber, Cabwise, Kabbeem Hailo, GetTaxio, Radio Taxi, Addison Lee, Climate Cards Ltd, Dial-a-Cab.

Pitfalls: Apps including Uber up their prices during popular times, and even if you’re more comfortable you will still face traffic.

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