London, UK – The ongoing labor dispute between thousands of London Underground workers and train drivers is wreaking havoc on the city’s transportation system, as an overtime ban begins on Monday, October 2, and significant disruptions are expected from Wednesday, October 4.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) have taken industrial action to protest against unsatisfactory pay and working conditions. The impact of their strikes extends to both the Tube and National Rail services.
ASLEF, representing the drivers, and RMT, representing various rail industry sectors, including station staff and guards, have joined forces to express their dissatisfaction.
On Wednesday, October 4, and Friday, October 6, Tube services are expected to be severely affected, with some routes not operating at all. Additionally, there will be no night tube service on Friday, October 6. The disruption is expected to continue into the early hours of the day following the strikes on Thursday, October 5, and Saturday, October 7.
Fortunately, the Elizabeth Line and London Overground services remain unaffected.
The industrial action extends its reach to several rail companies on Wednesday, October 4, as passengers are urged to check their travel plans online before embarking on their journeys. Here’s a summary of how different rail companies are affected:
Avanti West Coast: No services.
C2C: No service.
Chiltern Railways: No service.
CrossCountry: No service.
East Midlands Railway: No service.
GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway): Limited Southern shuttle service; amended timetable with fewer services; no non-stop Gatwick Express.
Great Western Railway (GWR): Reduced and revised timetable; likely short-notice alterations or cancellations.
Greater Anglia & Stansted Express: Reduced service; check for plans on affected dates.
Heathrow Express: Fewer trains with adjusted hours; normal service during overtime bans.
LNER: Extremely limited timetable; minor alterations on surrounding days.
London Northwestern Railway: No service; buses on certain routes; impact viewable on journey planners.
Northern: No service, no rail replacement; short-notice alterations or cancellations on overtime ban days.
Southwestern Railway: Extremely limited service; reduced service; no Island Line.
Southeastern: No service; full service expected during overtime bans.
TransPennine Express: No service; normal timetable during overtime ban, potential disruptions.
West Midlands Railway: No service; reduced services on specific routes; potential changes.
During overtime ban periods, the services of these rail companies may experience varying levels of disruption. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed about route-specific impacts.
The ongoing strikes have thrown London’s transportation network into disarray, causing inconvenience for commuters and travelers alike. For more updates on this developing situation, stay tuned.
