Believe it or not, strike days can be weirdly magical. Londoners suddenly become friendly. You’ll share an Uber with a stranger who works in finance, and you’ll bond over how much you hate the RMT. Then you’ll never speak again, like a one-night stand of commuting.
Also, the streets are quieter. No Tube means fewer people underground, so the pavements get a zombie apocalypse vibe. You might even hear birds singing instead of the “mind the gap” announcement on repeat. It’s like London is having a mental health day—if mental health involved a 90-minute walk to work in drizzle.
What’s the endgame?
The RMT says they’ll keep striking until a deal is reached. The Tube bosses say they’re “disappointed.” Honestly, that’s like saying a cat is “disappointed” after it knocks a vase off a shelf and blinks at you. Both sides are playing chicken with your commute, and you’re the one trying to get to work without sweating through your shirt.
One more surprising fact: London Underground trains use 630 volts of electricity. That’s enough to fry a mischievous squirrel. Meanwhile, the strike uses zero volts but will fry your patience. Try to remember: this too shall pass. April 21 is just a day. A very long, sweaty, irritating day, but a day nonetheless.
So, charge your phone, download a podcast, and accept your fate. The London Underground strikes are coming. But hey, at least you’ll have a good story to tell. And if you see me on the 38 bus, standing in a puddle of someone’s spilled coffee—save me a nod. We’re in this together, you beautiful, grumpy commuters. God save the Tube (when it actually runs).
