Getting Around during the Tube strikes

[starrymarkb]

Me and a couple of friends are visiting London on the 12-14th of Feb and will need to get from Victoria Coach Station to Euston/Old Street, Old Street to Camden (and back in the Evening) and back to VCS for the coach home the following. One of my friends suffers from anxiety so I'm trying to keep things simple where poss. As we are up for Concerts we can't change the dates..

Any Suggestions?

 

[joeykins82]

The TfL bus route maps are very handy and done in the style of the tube maps.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/maps/buses/

Victoria is in Westminster
Euston and Camden Town are in Camden
Old Street is in Islington

The other option is, on the day, use the TfL journey planner as that'll be updated based on what tube services are running. http://beta.tfl.gov.uk/
You can also change your journey preferences to exclude the tube.

 

[Mojo]

Me and a couple of friends are visiting London on the 12-14th of Feb and will need to get from Victoria Coach Station to Euston/Old Street, Old Street to Camden (and back in the Evening) and back to VCS for the coach home the following. One of my friends suffers from anxiety so I'm trying to keep things simple where poss. As we are up for Concerts we can't change the dates..

Any Suggestions?

From what I've heard, and going on the last full strike in 2010, I wouldn't envisage you'd have too many problems using the Underground for a journey like this, if it's during the day.

 

[oversteer]

So I need to get from Watford to Canary Wharf

I don't fancy the buses from Euston to Bank, I bet they'll be rammed.

If the tubes are completely out, then I'm considering
Euston to Charing Cross (bus)
Charing Cross to lewisham (SE)
Lewisham to Canary Wharf (DLR)

Or maybe..

Southern service to Clapham Junction
Overground to Shadwell DLR
DLR to Canary Wharf

Both seem to be about the same time!

Fingers crossed it gets called off at short notice

 

[edwin_m]

So I need to get from Watford to Canary Wharf

Thames Clipper may be an option for the final leg if you don't mind paying a bit more.

 

[user15681]

Me and a couple of friends are visiting London on the 12-14th of Feb and will need to get from Victoria Coach Station to Euston/Old Street, Old Street to Camden (and back in the Evening) and back to VCS for the coach home the following. One of my friends suffers from anxiety so I'm trying to keep things simple where poss. As we are up for Concerts we can't change the dates..

Any Suggestions?

I'm unsure which journeys you want to make, a bit unclear, but I'll try help. Just shout if I've got any journeys wrong...

As a general rule with buses, given that your friend is anxious and given that they are normally fairly busy and will be very busy if the tubes aren't working, get a seat upstairs on the bus. No standing is allowed on the top deck, so even if all the seats are taken it won't feel busy and will feel much more open and airy.

I do Victoria Station to Euston every day. If you're unable to get the tube, take the 73 bus from outside the front of Victoria station, which stops at Euston bus station outside the front of Euston station. Simple, one bus, takes you straight there. Takes about 30-40 minutes on a normal day, they run every few minutes. Because the 73 originates at Victoria, there's a queue to get on, so if you don't get a seat on the top deck, wait at the front of the next queue. However, most commuters using the Victoria line get off at Oxford Circus and given that the 73 goes from Victoria to Oxford Circus too, it will be very busy if the tubes aren't running.

Alternatively, the 24 goes from the east side of Victoria (the Kent side of the station). Look for the McDonalds over by platform 2, take the exit just left of the McDonalds and turn right. The 24 goes from Victoria to Camden and in reverse. Straight there, one bus. This doesn't go through Old Street, though, so if that part of your journey is essential don't take the 24.

If they help, then great. If not, sorry. If you need any guidance on where to get on or off, PM me.

 

[transmanche]

So I need to get from Watford to Canary Wharf

What about Overground to Stratford (changing at Willesden Junction) or to Shadwell (changing at Willesden Junction and Highbury & Islington) and then DLR to Canary Wharf.

 

[tsr]

What about Overground to Stratford (changing at Willesden Junction) or to Shadwell (changing at Willesden Junction and Highbury & Islington) and then DLR to Canary Wharf.

Exactly what I would suggest off-peak.

During the peak, it might not be the most relaxing or comfortable experience! But then again, it would probably still be a quicker option, compared to others.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I do Victoria Station to Euston every day. If you're unable to get the tube, take the 73 bus from outside the front of Victoria station, which stops at Euston bus station outside the front of Euston station. Simple, one bus, takes you straight there. Takes about 30-40 minutes on a normal day, they run every few minutes.

If you know the way, you can walk it in about 45 - 50 minutes.

 

[transmanche]

If you know the way, you can walk it in about 45 - 50 minutes.

And don't forget the BorisBikes!

 

[user15681]

If you know the way, you can walk it in about 45 - 50 minutes.

Indeed, but a 50 minute (probably nearer an hour for an average person) walk in the morning and evening every day isn't appealing for me, or most people probably. However, during a strike, I'd possibly consider it as an option as opposed to busy buses and no tube, but I'd only recommend it to those who know their way.

And don't forget the BorisBikes!

They're likely to be in high demand and hard to get hold of though. TfL is writing to hundreds of businesses asking them to be flexible in allowing staff to cycle to work and wear casual clothing appropriate for cycling.

 

[starrymarkb]

Boris Bike might be an idea for Old Street to Camden. (Friends are staying at Euston Ibis, I'm crashing at a friends flat on Old Street) - I might have a case so can't do Vic to Old Street by Bike TBH I'm not fussed by Walking either if the weather is OK

 

[hedpe]

Its been a few years since i was a regular of old street, but i recall the 274 bus runs between camden and old street (is it still 24hr?) you've also got the canal which can be a nice walk depending on what time!

 

[user15681]

IMPORTANT UPDATE

TfL have released their planned level of service on all lines. Go to their homepage tfl.gov.uk and it's in the yellow banner at the top as 'Services that will operate'. Alternatively, here is a link that will download a PDF detailing the service.

Services will not start until 7am and will run until 11pm only.

In summary...

No service on Waterloo & City or Circle and no service in the central area on the Piccadilly line, Central line or Jubilee line (partially). All other lines operating with reduced frequency and terminating short of most terminals. Many individual stations closed all day. The situation may change throughout the day and there's no guarantee they will provide the level of service expected in that plan. At the moment it's a rough guide to help people plan in advance.

Starrymarkb - Victoria line should run every 5 minutes from Victoria to Euston, so you're fine there. Northern line running every 5 minutes too, fine for Camden, BUT Old Street station will be closed, so you'll need to seek a bus route for that journey.

Oversteer - Best option looks like Northern line, which should run every 5 minutes from Euston to London Bridge, then the Jubilee line should run every 5 minutes to Canary Wharf. (Not sure how you were planning on getting from Watford to Euston, but Euston Square station is closed if you were planning to use the Metropolitan)

 

[Dstock7080]

Staff in ASLEF, other unions and non-union staff will be attending work, this has a different effect on each Line with some having a greater percentage than others, so the train services run will be dependant on that.

 

[jopsuk]

Of course, ASLEF (and other union- not sure about non-union?) staff may individually choose not to cross a picket line without penalty (other than not being paid for the shift).

 

[Wolfie]

So I need to get from Watford to Canary Wharf

I don't fancy the buses from Euston to Bank, I bet they'll be rammed.

If the tubes are completely out, then I'm considering
Euston to Charing Cross (bus)
Charing Cross to lewisham (SE)
Lewisham to Canary Wharf (DLR)

Or maybe..

Southern service to Clapham Junction
Overground to Shadwell DLR
DLR to Canary Wharf

Both seem to be about the same time!

Fingers crossed it gets called off at short notice

What about picking up the Overground at Willesden Junction, going to Stratford and then DLR from there?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oops, hadn't read through whole thread or would have seen that this had already been suggested!

 

[howittpie]

Its been a few years since i was a regular of old street, but i recall the 274 bus runs between camden and old street (is it still 24hr?) you've also got the canal which can be a nice walk depending on what time!

It is the 214 that runs from Camden to Old Street but theese buses are overcrowded on non-strike days never mind strike days.

 

[Domh245]

ASLEFshrugged posted on his blog page that the central line line controllers were among those going on strike, so there are all the central line T/Ops, but with nowhere to go: http://aslefshrugged.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[Mojo]

ASLEFshrugged posted on his blog page that the central line line controllers were among those going on strike, so there are all the central line T/Ops, but with nowhere to go: http://aslefshrugged.blogspot.co.uk/

It says Rmt have asked Controllers not to go in. Most in Service Control will be going for work during Strikes.

 

[CyrusWuff]

So the strike is underway, and last trains on most lines ran some TWO HOURS early. This left me with a 45 minute walk to Kings Cross when I finished work because I didn't have a hope in Hell of getting on a bus.

Upon arrival at Kings Cross, FCC in their infinite wisdom had decided it would be acceptable to run the GN Inner services as single units as normal. Needless to say, they were going out wedged...and got worse at Finsbury Park.

 

[telstarbox]

Plenty of unusual buses running as ‘extras’ in the City and West End today, including a Routemaster on route 25 and a Thorpe Park Shuttle on route 26.

Also not a good day for a signal failure in the morning peak on the London Bridge approach...

 

[howittpie]

Have to agree with the ubnusual buses I have so far seen an Rm and RT on the 29, Stagecoach East Kent on the 205 and also Ensignbus on the 91. Adds a bit of colour for a change.

 

[Tetchytyke]

There's an Ensignbus RM knocking about on the 38 today.

 

[jopsuk]

Lots of pictures on twitter of "Routemasters" that are RTs- there were vastly more RTs

 

[user15681]

I'm not quite sure what to say about the strike. Where there was no service, it was ridiculously busy, with buses crammed full and queues of hundreds for the buses as you'd expect. But where there was service, I found it better than the normal commute. Victoria this morning was like normal (there were odd occasions of being held at the barriers to prevent overcrowding on the platform, but that happens every day) on the Victoria line, if not better. Then again, that's because a lot of commuters stayed away. Hopefully not everyone sees that as a cue to return tomorrow.

 

[maniacmartin]

Other half had to get from Surrey Quays to Westminster today, but the Jubilee wasn't stopping at Canada Water. Rather than battle onto a bus or the DLR/District line, he gave central London a wide berth

Overground to Peckham Rye, a train from there to Victoria, then walked the rest. It was apparently a nice journey.

 

[Saint66]

Seems that the strike is causing a few issues tonight, TFL are reporting very bad traffic in Central London, and as a result, buses are experiencing delays of at least 60 minutes. I guess the volumes of people deciding to come in by car, and the increase in buses is causing all this!

 

[telstarbox]

It was quicker to walk than to get the bus in some areas!

 

[hassaanhc]

Over around Hammersmith and Kensington the traffic was normal, and most buses had spare capacity. Where there was a packed bus, another less busy one was usually not far behind.