TFL issue bus strike advice

Transport for London has issued contingency travel advice if tomorrow's (Friday's) bus strike goes ahead.

TfL is calling on the leadership of the Unite union to call off tomorrow's industrial action, but is warning Londoners that if the strike does go ahead bus services could be severely disrupted.

If the strike does go ahead TfL is urging passengers to use other transport options, or to walk or cycle where possible. The average bus journey is around 2.2 miles so many of these journeys could be made in this way. Passengers can check for the latest information at www.tfl.gov.uk/buses.

TfL has put in place a number of measures to help people get around and to manage the situation if the strike does proceed. These include:

•London Buses staff and volunteers from across TfL will be on the streets and at key transport hubs across London to provide travel advice and distribute walking maps.

•TfL will operate a full service across the Tube network, with extra staff on hand to assist passengers.

•Full services will also be operated on the Docklands Light Railway, London Tramlink and London Overground networks with additional staff deployed to assist passengers.

•Marshalled taxi ranks will operate at a number of key rail hubs including Victoria, St Pancras, Waterloo, Liverpool Street and London Bridge.

•A full service will also be operated by London River Services, which includes River Bus services that operate high frequency services between various key piers.

•During the course of the strike bus passes will be accepted on reasonable alternative routes on Tube, DLR, and London Overground - affected passengers should seek assistance from staff at the gate lines.

•TfL has also emailed around 1.5 million registered bus users advising them of the likely disruption and urging them to check before they travel.

•Additional distribution staff will work throughout Friday to ensure Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme docking stations are able to meet demand at key locations.

Leon Daniels, TfL's Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: "If the strike does go ahead, all parts of Transport for London are working together with our partners to ensure that Londoners and visitors have alternative travel options and the necessary advice to enable them to get around.

"I would advise everybody to use other transport services, to consider walking and cycling for shorter journeys and to check before travelling at www.tfl.gov.uk/buses."

London Underground has well-practised congestion management procedures to deal with large numbers of customers.

If the strike does go ahead, LU will have additional staff in place at key locations to provide help and information to enable customers to complete their journeys.

All staff are well-trained and fully understand the congestion management plans, and LU will be ready to use those procedures if necessary to ensure they can continue to keep London moving.