People wait for alternative transportation outside Blackfriars underground station because of the 24-hour Tube strike in London on Monday. Photo by Hayoung Jeon/European Pressphoto Service

LONDON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Millions of commuters packed the roads and railway stations Monday after a 24-hour London Underground strike disrupted transportation in the city, local officials said.

Around 400 station and tickets staff from the Rail, Maritime Workers and Transport and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association walked off the job Sunday night in a dispute over ticket office closures.


Transport of London said 69 percent of stations were open with limited services on nine out of 11 Tube lines. A total of 114 stations are closed and 75 have trains running through but not stopping.

National Rail services are not affected by the strike but underground services from key interchange stations such as Victoria, King's Cross, Waterloo, Paddington, Euston, Bank and London Bridge are impacted.

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Officials evacuated the Clapham Junction station because of overcrowding. A spokesman for South West Trains said it was the "worst crowding I've seen at Clapham Junction for many years -- no amount of planning can mitigate for this."

Dr. Simon Quantrill, who lives in Clapham, said he usually rides a bicycle for most of his commute but he still was delayed.

"It is really scary out there, cyclists are taking huge chances," he told the BBC. "The traffic is mad, the whole way up -- especially around London Bridge and onwards."

The strike was due to end at 6 p.m. Monday night but Transport of London said services likely will be disrupted Tuesday morning. It is providing updates on its website. and alternative transportation suggestions.

The city deployed about 150 extra buses, including some of London's heritage fleet and river services were "enhanced," Transport of London said.

And taxi service had long lines.

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The strike ensued after Transport of London closed several station control rooms and cut 834 staff members. John Leach, a Rail, Maritime Workers and Transport London regional organizer, told the BBC Radio 4's Today that the Transport of London's offer to replace 200 of the posts is not good enough.

This has led to safety concerns, including overcrowding at Tube stations, he said.

"I'm afraid we're up against a brick wall because we don't have resources," Leach said.

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan told BBC Radio London the strike was "completely unnecessary."

"I think the best way to resolve differences is around a table, talking amicably," he said. "I think those who work on our Underground do have a point about ticket office closures being premature and rushed through."