Strike action has just been announced for multiple dates this November, with London Underground workers citing pay disputes as the root cause.
As most Londoners will now be well familiar with how disruptive a Tube strike can be, it’s important to plan ahead of time if you have to get around the city for work or have evening plans. Many lines will be fully halted during the selected days, or if they are running you can anticipate severe delays and overcrowding.
According to Aslef, the Tube drivers’ union, walkouts, overtime bans and strikes have been ordered on from November 1 - 16. While the exact impact has yet to be determined, this most likely means no service and many closed stations.
If you rely on the Tube to get you to work, we have a few recommendations on how you can avoid major headaches on these days. Here are a few different ways you can get in and around London while the November 2024 Tube strikes are in action:
Book your parking ahead of time and drive in
Hunting for a last-minute parking space in London, during peak working hours, with a Tube strike in place? It’s going to be a nightmare.
We strongly recommend reserving a space ahead of time to guarantee you a parking space upon arrival, plus you’re likely to save majorly on the daily fees. Even though these strikes are newly announced, we anticipate parking spaces in key areas to sell out fast, so booking sooner than later is advisable.
a. Pre-book your parking space:
- Avoid having to wake up extra-early to nab one of the last spaces near your office and simply reserve a space ahead of time through JustPark. Booking in advance only takes a few seconds and you can do it through the website or app on iOS and Android.
b. Customise your search for whatever you need:
- Besides the ability to book your space for a set time, you can also filter for more specific needs:some text
- large vehicles
- disabled access
- gated security
- longer-term or monthly rolling spaces
- electric vehicle charging capability
Use other forms of public transit — although they will be busy
While the tube might be down, London's extensive public transport network still has plenty to offer through other train networks, buses and the Overground.
a. Tap onto your nearest bus route:
- London buses can be a reliable and cost-friendly option during tube strikes.
- Apps like CityMapper or London Live Bus Times can also be a lifesaver when trying to get real-time updates on routes.
- Remember, you don't need an Oyster card to ride buses (although you might get a discounted ride with one) — contact-free payments on most major cards are accepted.
b. Get on the Overground:
- The Overground network covers many parts of London and can be a tube strike lifesaver. It's worth noting these will be busier than normal and will likely have longer wait times than normal.
c. Rent a bike and cycle:
- Consider using one of London's bike-sharing schemes like Lime, Santander, or e-scooters to bridge the gaps.
Car share with colleagues
While maybe a bit cosy for comfort for an everyday journey, this can be a good option if you find yourself without a plan B on travel days into the office. Buddying up with people who will be commuting along the same route as you can cut down time spent on trains and save you money on fuel and parking.
a. Plan your route and know what to expect:
- Use GPS apps like Waze or Google Maps to find the quickest routes.
- You might not be able to avoid congestion charge zones, but be aware extra charges may apply; especially when commuting in central areas.
b. Reap the benefits of carpooling with colleagues, friends or through a ride-sharing app:
- Sharing a ride with colleagues or fellow commuters is a good way split costs and reduce on-street traffic, but you won't want to leave it until the night before to start asking for favours or planning morning pick-ups.
- There are a growing number of apps like BlaBlaCar that allow for easy coordination between passengers and drivers. Be aware that since this is only just starting to be adopted in the UK, there may be limited options available during your specified time slots or city needs.
Ask your workplace if they'll allow for flexibility
During a strike, you're going to have to accept that some routes will take much longer or will be less accessible during that time period. You can take a few approaches to reduce the stress of the inconvenience:
a. Work from home (if you can):
- If your work allows for it, discuss remote work options with your employer for the applicable days. While this may not be an option for all, it may help to alleviate congestion and free up other options such as busses and Overground services for those who need it.
b. Explore alternate routes:
- Be ready to adapt and test out different combinations of routes based on what's available. You may have to be prepared for longer walking times between bus stops, or paying a little bit extra for other train networks. You can easily view which trains are running on Trainline, or can consider parking at a train station and completing your journey into London by rail.
c. Keep informed from official sources:
- Stay connected with TfL's social media and website for live updates and travel advice.
Prepare for longer commutes
Lastly, prepare yourself for busier buses, longer walks or possible reroutes.
a. Pack essentials:
- Charge those AirPods and bring your go-to snack for the journey since wait times and walking distances will likely be longer than the usual commute.
b. Know where to go:
- You probably have your journey mapped out relatively well at this point, but you might also find yourself in an unexpected situation of needing to use a public toilet when on your journey. When Tube stations fail and there isn't a nearby coffee shop, use this crowdsourced map to find what you need.
