Limited tube services ran on Wednesday as more staff turned up for work on the London Underground, while RMT strikes disrupted the capital for the third day this week.
No talks have taken place to resolve the dispute, with the RMT now demanding a summit with the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, in its quest for a shorter working week.
Some services, including parts of the Central, Northern and District lines, were partly running on Wednesday afternoon as more staff attended work than earlier in the week.
Transport for London (TfL) hopes to run more trains again on Thursday, when controllers and signallers walk out on the final day of strikes.
The RMT general secretary, Eddie Dempsey, speaking at TUC Congress, called on Khan to meet the union. He said: “Stop going on social media, invite us to the meeting, let’s have a discussion, because I want to know what is going on in London.”
He warned further strikes could follow. Speaking earlier to the BBC, he said: “We’ve got towards the end of a week of strike action, we’re open to negotiations, but there are no invitations to sit down with TfL. We’ll have to see what the next move is.”
Dempsey said the RMT wanted to make “meaningful progress” towards its 32-hour week ambition and was prepared to “compromise and discuss” in negotiations.
A TfL spokesperson said talks had not taken place as the RMT’s demand for a reduction in the working week had been ruled out as impractical and unaffordable.
Some of the gridlock seen during pre-Covid tube strikes was averted as commuters worked from home and used the Elizabeth line, opened in 2022. Growing numbers have also turned to bikes to navigate London’s congested roads – and even boats, avoiding the streets.
Buses, the Elizabeth line and London Overground have taken on much of the strain, collectively carrying about 1 million extra passengers daily, according to TfL’s contactless data. Overall usage of TfL’s modes has been down about 20% compared with normal numbers, with many people either staying home or cycling.
The capital’s ebike providers have been big beneficiaries of the strikes and an invaluable aid on gridlocked roads towards central London.
Lime said it had an upsurge of 78% more hires than the previous Wednesday. Forest reported Tuesday morning rush-hour rides at four times normal levels and 20,000 new app downloads on Monday alone.
TfL said its Santander cycle scheme also saw a surge with almost 20,000 hires by 3pm, up 93% on the usual figure.
Meanwhile, the Uber-branded Thames Clipper boats reported total passenger numbers up 66% on Tuesday compared with a week earlier.
Most businesses, however, will be counting the cost. The Centre for Economics and Business Research thinktank estimates the strikes dealt a £230m blow to the economy, excluding indirect effects such as lost productivity and lower retail spending. The Night Time Industries Association claimed the strikes could cost the leisure and entertainment sector £150m.
Footfall in some of London’s main work and retail centres had fallen by almost a third, according to O2 mobile phone data. It said footfall across central London on Tuesday lunchtime was down 16% compared with a week earlier, with Canary Wharf down 31% and London Bridge and the City down 21%.
TfL has advised passengers to check daily for service updates. A full tube service is not expected until 8am on Friday morning.
