Tube Strike... What do you think?

AlistairW · Post by **AlistairW** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:13 pm

Sadly the recent talks to resolve the threat of a tube strike over New Years Eve were unfruitful with many of the staff not showing up. By 3pm today 16 stations had already closed.

I was just thinking what everyone's views are on the matter, apparently its about a new 35hour week rota and moving some staff to other stations, which apparently will leave some places under staffed thus been unsafe. But in my view currently its much more unsafe not to run trains when most people will be drunk, surely this only encourages drink driving? I think its sad that its come to this and that our Capital cannot offer a full service when most leisure users require it.

Obviosuly though I do not know all the details a full story is given here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4570980.stm

joea1 · Post by **joea1** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:21 pm

People should use the bus then.

Thrashin · Post by **Thrashin** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 4:36 pm

Fair enough having a strike, but on New Year's Eve? That's a bit daft. They're hardly going to get people to warm to their cause by striking tonight. That said, they're not going to get people to warm to their cause by striking at any time...

Post by **martinhodgson** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 5:28 pm

Well London tonight will be a nightmare. Buses will be stuffed to the gills, as will many suburban service trains; but as most of those stop around midnight anyway that leaves little alternative for leaving.

If I am not mistake, the tube operates a special service on NYE, which this year is sponsored by a large company (NatWest I think?) to allow free travel so that people can get home when no other public transport is running.

So now, there is very little oppurtunity to leave central London once festivities have ended. Unless TOC's and the bus companies offer a special tiometable as well, then many people are going to find themselves stranded or out of pocket after having to pay for a taxi, assuming they manage to find one!

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 6:27 pm

It's typical of Citizen Crow and the RMT. He just wants to flex his muscles and to hell with everyone else...

Expect more of the same come the olympics.

mattvince · Post by **mattvince** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 6:40 pm

arabiandisco wrote:It's typical of Citizen Crow and the RMT. He just wants to flex his muscles and to hell with everyone else...

Expect more of the same come the olympics.

Assuming Mr Crow is still head of the RMT by that time - he may well have been ousted by 'moderates', or the RMT may have disintegrated by then.

danielw2599 · Post by **danielw2599** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 6:47 pm

Thrashin wrote:Fair enough having a strike, but on New Year's Eve? That's a bit daft. They're hardly going to get people to warm to their cause by striking tonight. That said, they're not going to get people to warm to their cause by striking at any time...

The thing is in this day age management will walk all over you if you dont stand up for yourself and your rights. People have a right to feel safe at work (I only assume this is the underlying issue)

MuzTrem · Post by **MuzTrem** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 7:07 pm

Typical.
With every tube strike people lose more and more faith in the railway system. How on earth are we supposed to encourage people to use railways if there's no trains every other week because of strikes? We need another Margret Thatcher...

johncard · Post by **johncard** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 9:35 pm

I'm sure that the distinct lack of transport within London conveying hoardes of tourists for the Olympics, as a result of an RMT strike, would be to the great amusement (or should I say 'bemusement') of many...............

John

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:00 pm

Another week another tube strike. The thing is they're only signing their own death warrants here. The tube is a prioneer of automation and as long as the workers continue to call strikes all the time the political not to mention public pressure will increase to extend automation to all branches of the underground system and reduce the need for human involvement.

qzdcg8 · Post by **qzdcg8** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:22 pm

I have no idea what I will find at Euston tomorrow morning! I am praying the Victoria Line is OK and I don't have to fight for a cab or bus!

P.S. I've just ordered a damned OysterCard - a single cash fare has gone up 50% since last year - was Â£2 a trip - it's now Â£3!!!!

joea1 · Post by **joea1** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:32 pm

Oyster is the best

.

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:57 pm

Some say that Oyster is a big big brother-esque -they can, and do, keep a record of where oysters are touched in and out. (They could do the same with a paper season ticket as well on the tubes I'd guess, but oyster covers buses as well).

I'd recommend London's buses to everyone, especially now the relicmaster has finally gone. Cheaper than the tube and you get to see daylight. I've also found that my rush-hour journey (Waterloo - Euston) takes no longer on the bus than the underground from when I step off the train at Waterloo to when I arrive in the office. There are more direct journeys available by bus as well.

stephenwiseman · Post by **stephenwiseman** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:29 pm

I love sitting on the top deck of the bus looking over everybody on the street and going past all the sites. Sometimes if i'm in London alone, i'll just get in a bus and stay there for ages as it goes all round London. Its also less hassle to just hop on a bus than it is to go down masses of escalators and stairs.

AlistairW · Post by **AlistairW** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:48 am

I say they install Docklands type system where the trains that are underground all the time drive themselves. Although that doesn't solve the problem of station staff striking.