Tube strike: Second day of travel chaos

Thursday 11th June 2009, 12:59PM BST.

Tube strike: Second day of travel chaos London commuters are enduring a second day of travel heartache over the ongoing strike by tube workers.

The RMT union had warned the disruption would intensify today after a walkout by their members made overnight maintenance work impossible.

“It’s been great today, keep up the fantastic work. Pickets first thing tomorrow are essential,” a text sent to RMT members by regional organiser Steve Hedley said.

Two-thirds of trains were cancelled yesterday but overall the service was better than expected, although most lines suffered suspensions and severe delays.

“We’re running services on more than half of our lines this morning and services are better than this time yesterday,” said London Underground Limited chief Richard Parry.

Only the Northern line ran a full service due to most of its workers belonging to the Aslef union.

Millions of workers were nevertheless forced to find alternative modes of transport to complete their journeys to work, with the capital’s road routes and bus network struggling to cope.

The 48-hour strike, which was called in a row over job security, pay and disciplinary issues, is due to end at 19:00 BST tonight, but a normal service is not expected until tomorrow morning.