I Beat Tube crisis Chaos with Private Coach Hire
Dated 07/09/2010 by J Hindle
September 5th saw the start of London Underground Tube chaos across the capital, as millions of passengers faced severe disruption in light of union action. Maintenance staff, tube drivers, station ticket sales staff and signallers walked out in an act of unison and protestation towards proposed staff cuts.
Union leaders from the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and the Transport for London (TfL) union both said action by their workers was a "message to the mayor" that proposed staff cuts and the safety issues they raised, would be met with strong resistance.
Whilst the strike members took their stand, millions of passengers faced extensive and long delays during their journeys to and from work. At the peak of the travel delays, services on all lines, apart from the Northern Line (of which some of its stations were closed) were delayed, or suspended.
Extra buses were being laid on to try to cope with the overflow of commuters, as were additional Thames Riverboat services. Cycle hire schemes experienced a rapid rise in business, as did taxi services. Some companies also turned to private coach hire to get their staff to work on time.
With further strikes set to take place for October and November, commuters may well learn from this experience and choose alternative transport methods during those times. Indeed, the laying on of private coach hire around London is one such option, which works especially well if large groups travel together to a particular work place, conference destination, or area within the City.
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