Latest train strikes live: Passengers blast rail unions for ‘selfish’ strikes as commuters suffer third day of travel chaos

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Ondon commuters expressed their frustration as they experienced travel disruption for the third day in a row due to the train drivers’ strike.

Services are being paralyzed by a strike by Aslef members of 15 railway companies in a long-running dispute over wages, with some areas no trains all day.

There were no Thursday morning services on the South East Coast, Thameslink, Great Northern or Avanti West Coast, while the South Western Railway and Greater Anglia were restricted to skeleton services at Waterloo and Liverpool Street.

Victoria, normally one of the busiest stations in the province, was closed with no Southern or Gatwick Express trains running. Passengers there described the situation as a “nightmare” and “bad for Britain” – and accused the unions of “losing the conspiracy” over the “selfish” strikes.

The action follows a 48-hour strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union which led to widespread disorder across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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The latest wave of industrial strikes comes as reports indicate that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak may announce legislation to impose minimum levels of service during strikes as soon as Thursday.

RMT is staging another 48-hour strike from Friday in its bitter dispute over jobs, wages and terms.

Live UpdatesView Latest Updates 1672912434 YouTube lag is not due to strikes

Transport for London confirmed that the strikes were not the direct cause of the delays on the Circle and Central lines.

The center suffers from a shortage of rolling stock. Meanwhile, The Circle is understaffed due to illness and furloughs and those struggling to get to work due to strikes.

from Euston

About a dozen train drivers represented by the Aslive union have taken part in a strike for higher wages outside Euston station in central London, at the start of a third successive day of rail disruption.

About 12,500 drivers from 15 railway companies are holding sit-downs across the country on Thursday, and their action follows a 48-hour strike by RMT workers.

Those taking action in Euston and Kings Cross are joined by Aslife Secretary Mick Whelan.

Several passing cars let out a sonic boom to support the drivers as they passed Euston Station.

1672909838 Metropolitan Line is experiencing delays

There are now delays on the Metropolitan Line in the Northwest Division.

They are very close between Moor Park and Amersham. Between Moore Park and Chesham they are minors.

TfL said: “This is due to emergency engineering work on the track.”

Tickets are accepted on London buses.

1672909249 Train drivers may “intensify” their campaign

Mick Whelan, secretary of the Aslive company, said train drivers may be looking to intensify their strikes – after 15 companies pulled out on Thursday.

“Maybe we should take greater action going forward, to get people to listen,” he told the BBC, adding that union members were frustrated by the lack of action.

“There is a great will among our members to keep going,” Mr. Whelan added. “We’re in this for the long haul.”

The union went on strike over a wage increase that they said was overdue.

Severe delays in the circle and center lines

Transport for London said there were severe delays due to cancellations of trains on both Central and Ring lines “due to cancelled trains”.

1672909593 “The rail strikers lost the plot”

Workers strike outside Victoria

/ John Dunn

Today’s rail commuters claimed that the railway unions had “lost the plot” because of their “selfish” strikes that had brought the network nearly to a halt.

John Gratton, 51, who works in construction, had to take a bus from Herne Hill to the site he is working on near Victoria due to traffic.

He said, “Frankly, I think the railway strikers have lost the plot. They are selfish and make life difficult for ordinary workers like me.”

Chris Calderwood, 32, who works in a gym, said: “I moved to London recently and I can hardly remember a day when public transport was going well. I think beating people around Christmas and New Years is bad for unions.”

Maja Kovic, 23, was hoping to catch a train to Gatwick. She said: “I didn’t realize the station was going to close. It’s a bit if a nightmare. It’s not good for Britain’s image.”

“Shock you,” said a bystander, addressing the picket line, as frustration spilled over.

The anti-strike law is expected to be introduced

Rishi Sunak is set to announce legislation this week that will make it more difficult for unions to take strike action.

The prime minister is looking to ensure “minimum levels of service” across six communities, including health, railways, education, fire and border security.

Union members may lose their jobs if they do not comply.

severe delays in Elizabeth’s line

There are delays on Elizabeth’s line

/ PA wire

There are severe delays on the Elizabeth Line on Thursday.

Due to strikes, London’s newest line is running on a reduced service.

A statement from TfL added: “Severe delays due to strike by Network Rail staff. The London Underground accepts tickets via any reasonable route.”

1672905135 “devastating conflict”

It is expected that the Ministry of Transportation is not impressed with the measure.

A statement on Wednesday read: “Passengers are justly tired of rail strikes and want an end to the disruption.

Unions must step back from this strike so that we can start 2023 by ending this harmful dispute.

Above ground service

London Overground said it is running a reduced service until 6:30pm.

There is no service between Romford, Upminster, New Cross and Surrey Quays and between Barking and Barking Riverside due to Network Rail staff strike.

The London Underground accepts tickets via any reasonable route.

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