The worst tube strike in more than a decade came into effect last night, with a 27-hour walkout by all four unions shutting down all London Underground lines until tomorrow morning.
We headed to the travel hub of Stratford, to find out how commuters were getting around.
Leyton resident William Ciussreda had just arrived at the bus station after an overnight shift in Clapham Common, where he works as a receptionist.
“It’s awful,” said the 23-year-old. “I don’t think it’s reasonable. You can’t throw a city like this – it’s unbelievable. You are causing so much trouble to people.”
Others were more sympathetic to the motivations behind the strike.
“The tube staff work really hard,” said Silvertown resident Sakina Adam, 29.
“Without them London is nothing. They help people get to their destinations.”
Ms Adam said she had nonetheless faced considerable disruption.
“It’s really hard because there’s a lot of traffic. A five minute journey takes ages to get where you are going.”
Tens of TfL ambassadors were on site to direct passengers to their destinations, and by 9am, the commuter crowds were thinning and the crowds appeared no bigger than usual on a weekday morning.
Many had been forced to change their route to work, however.
“My wife works in the City and had to work from home today,” said Forest Gate teacher, Douglas Pleasant.
“She gave me a lift to Chingford Station to go to Liverpool Street - so I was travelling the wrong way to get back to Stratford,” said the 39-year-old Theydon Bois resident.
“We’re going on a school trip now to Greenwich but we can get there by DLR. It hasn’t been too disruptive, and I understand why they’re striking,” he added.
The strike is due to last until 9.30pm this evening, with no tubes running until tomorrow morning. Find out more and plan your route at tfl.gov.uk.
What’s your experience of the strike? Send us photos of your commute and email us your comments at phoebe.cooke@archant.co.uk
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