Tube strike - how are the buses?

[maslinpan]

Hoping to come into London tomorrow. I can get a direct bus from Kings Cross and I will be arriving around 11. How bad were the buses today and should I just come another day?

They were absolutely rammed at Waterloo. I imagine KX would have been the same but wasn't there personally. I would walk if you can.

I'd do another day if at all possible - where in London are you hoping to get to?

My DD walked this morning because it was quicker than taking the bus….but she went in early. It’s possible that by eleven, the buses won’t be quite so bad, but everyone will be taking them because it’s that or a taxi.

I think that by about 11 am it won't be too bad. Just the usual traffic jams and long queues!

Honestly? The buses are apocalyptic and there are a million people on hired bikes, mostly on the pavements! 😂

Its been an absolute bad tempered mess today and it is Monday - Tues/Weds/Thurs is usually a lot worse. No way would I be coming here if my job didn’t depend on it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c931px90z48o.amp

Bus goes from Kings Cross to Archway, so walking is definitely not an option. It doesn't look very tempting but I haven't seen DM in her care home for a while and am feeling a bit guilty.

@maslinpan it probably wouldn't be so bad by 11am. I understand re the guilty feeling (I'm in London, my mum in a care home in the Midlands and I go every week without fail) so I'd probably go myself in your position. It's about 4 miles I think? So maybe too far to walk (especially both ways). But if you get into KX late morning and back there well before the rush hour it may not be too bad. 💐

If you’re going towards Archway you’ll be heading out rather than into the centre of London, so I would hope that this should help a bit. I can’t imagine it’s as busy in that direction.

If you’re coming in via the Thameslink, you could consider getting off in Kentish Town instead. In fact, if you’re on another train, you could take the Thameslink back up to Kentish Town where the walk is half as long as from KX or again the bus should not be as rammed as central London.

I went from Hammersmith to Paddington today. The bus was so rammed. This was around 9.30am

Horrendous. Citymapper sent me on three trains to get home rather than a bus….!

Is it the 17? I took buses in that sort of area (not the 17 but mine follows it for part of the route) today twice, at off-peak times. My buses were busier than usual but I got a seat both times. So I’d think you’ll be alright if a bit sardine-like.

At a pinch you could walk it, takes about an hour.