LONDON -- Commuters across London had a tough time getting to work on Tuesday morning because of a 24-hour strike by bus drivers.
Transport for London said there was significant disruption across the city because of the strike, which began at 4 a.m. local time.
Some 27,000 workers in the Unite trade union from 18 different bus companies are involved in the strike in which workers are seeking a single agreement covering pay and conditions. There were a limited number of buses still operating.
Buses today could be delayed/cancelled due to industrial action, please allow extra time for your journey. #BusStrike— TfL Bus Alerts (@TfLBusAlerts) January 13, 2015
"We’re not being unreasonable or greedy -- this isn’t about money. All we’re asking for is one agreement covering the pay, terms and conditions of London’s 27,000 bus workers. In contrast to London tube drivers, London bus drivers are covered by 80 different pay rates," said one bus driver, writing in The Independent.
Commuters were directed by TfL to take the Tube, DLR and London Overground, however people were met with overcrowding.
This commuter captured the scene at Holborn.
[img src="http://photos-e.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t51.2885-15/10354566_382906961883412_103789626_n.jpg" caption="" credit="" alt="Gotta love a bus strike! #tfl #london #uk #busstrike #nightmarecommute "]
Others at Brixton showed commuters piling ticketing hall.
[img src="http://photos-d.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10890701_420409461450059_1997364630_n.jpg" caption="" credit="" alt="ERGH. "]
They were also backed up out onto the street outside.
[img src="http://photos-d.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10919540_824097454318771_654780409_n.jpg" caption="" credit="" alt="You have got to be kidding. #brixton #busstrike #tfl "]
[img src="http://photos-g.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t51.2885-15/10808629_857729247601654_1047573540_n.jpg" caption="" credit="" alt="Mental getting around London today with the bus strike! "]
There were similar issues at Victoria's Underground station.
[img src="http://scontent-b.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/10895057_1424396231184765_2115532556_n.jpg" caption="" credit="" alt="Today is the day when every bus wanker becomes a tube wanker. Trapped in a sea of commuters #London #busstrike #lateforwork "]
Once onboard, things weren't a lot better.
[img src="http://photos-e.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/10919683_884278788262732_2046718544_n.jpg" caption="" credit="" alt="Because of the #BusStrike, Susan made more new friends than usual on her commute "]
In contrast to scenes in Tube stations, Oxford Street was empty at a time when it should have been grid-locked with buses.
Empty Oxford Street this morning. #BusStrike pic.twitter.com/aiyZUxl2G7— Lee Taylor (@taylorla57) January 13, 2015