• Rush-hour commuters in the United Kingdom faced chaos on Tuesday as railway employees launched the largest strike in over three decades.
• The RMT union contends that the strikes are essential because salaries have not kept up with UK inflation, which has reached a 40-year high and continues to rise.

Rush-hour commuters in the United Kingdom faced chaos on Tuesday as railway employees launched the network’s largest strike in over three decades, forcing some to travel to work on foot, by bicycle, or by bus—or simply not bother.

The RMT rail union contends that the strikes are essential because salaries have not kept up with UK inflation, which has reached a 40-year high and continues to rise.

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Train and London Underground stations, which are normally teeming with commuters during the morning rush hour, were empty or even locked, with only a skeleton service operating on several networks across the UK.

Passengers were cautioned not to travel throughout the whole week, as two further days of strike action were slated for Thursday and Saturday, further disrupting timetables.

In London, cab companies reported an increase in demand, while main roads were clogged with buses, vehicles, and bikes.

Shortly after 6 a.m., long lines started to form at bus stops on the outskirts of London, but many people gave up when the buses kept going without stopping because they were already full.

At St Alban’s, a commuter town to the north of the city, a local news agent close to the station told AFP: “It’s a good day to be a commuter.” It’s been quiet. Individuals are working from home.

The 43-year-old bank employee, who declined to provide his full name, was one of the few passengers on the mostly empty platform.

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However, he stated that the strike, which he supported, had some positive aspects: “I stand a better chance of getting a seat and it not being crazy.”