TfL intends to operate some Tube services despite the strike

The train drivers' union, ASLEF, has called for strike action over Tube drivers working on Boxing Day, as demands for triple pay and a day off in lieu have not been met.

Transport for London (TfL) says, "The completely unnecessary strike action is likely to cause significant disruption, but TfL is working to ensure as many services as possible will operate."

London’s 700 bus routes will be in operation and there will be extra buses operating in busy shopping areas and an enhanced service in the West End.

The DLR will also be in operation, except between Bank/Tower Gateway and Poplar/ West India Quay due to planned engineering works.

Customers can also use the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme, which is available across central London, as well as London Tramlink. River services will operate between Greenwich and Westminster, stopping at Tower Pier, London Eye and Embankment.

A number of rail replacement bus services will be operating on some London Underground routes due to planned engineering works as follows:

• A Northern line replacement service will operate between Camden Town and High Barnet/Mill Hill East, with extensions to Euston / King’s Cross
• A District line replacement service will operate on the Wimbledon branch and will be extended to Hammersmith
• On the Docklands Light Railway replacement buses will operate between Bank / Tower Gateway and Poplar / West India Quay
  

• On the Bakerloo line LU intends to run a limited service between Queens Park and Paddington.
• On the Central line LU intends to run a limited service between Hainault and Ealing Broadway, switching to a service between White City and Leytonstone at 1pm.
• On the Circle line there will be no service
• On the District line LU intends to run two limited shuttle services between Acton Town and Ealing Broadway and Upminster and West Ham.  Replacement buses will also run on the Wimbledon branch, including a service linking to Hammersmith with possible further extensions
• On the Hammersmith & City line LU intends to run services from Hammersmith to King’s Cross St Pancras.
• On the Jubilee line LU intends to run a limited service between Stanmore and Finchley Road.
• On the Metropolitan line there will be a limited service between Baker Street and Harrow-on-the-Hill.
• On the Northern line LU intends to run a limited service between Morden and Stockwell. Due to planned engineering works replacement buses will also operate between Camden Town and Mill Hill East/High Barnet, with extensions to Euston / King’s Cross
• On the Piccadilly line there will be a shuttle service between Heathrow 1,2,3 and Acton Town (calling at Heathrow 1,2,3, Hatton Cross, Boston Manor and Acton Town).
• The Victoria line service will be running between Seven Sisters and Brixton with a service frequency of every ten minutes.

Howard Collins, LU’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “This is a clear case of the ASLEF leadership attempting to hold Londoners to ransom and we would urge them, yet again, to call off this unnecessary strike action.  We have made every effort to resolve this issue, including reducing the number of drivers needed to work Boxing Day so that only one in four are rostered to work. However the ASLEF leadership seem intent on tearing up long-standing agreements that cover pay and annual leave and demanding even more – triple time and another day off. 

He continued, “Thousands of Londoners rely on the Tube network on Boxing Day to take advantage of sales, watch the football or get to work. The actions of ASLEF’s leadership demonstrates a complete disregard to our customers and to the many thousands of Tube staff who will not be on strike and will be working hard to help people get around the capital. ”

December 23, 2011