Walking, buses, bicycles: London's commuters make do as subway system shut by strike

Commuters queue for buses as tube drivers are on strike in London, Thursday, July 9, 2015. Drivers and station staff were walking out for 24 hours from 6:30 p.m. (1730GMT) Wednesday in a dispute over pay and schedules when a 24-hour subway service starts on some lines later this year.The Underground handles 4 million journeys a day, and the strike by members of four unions will likely paralyze the capital's transport system, despite extra bus and river services. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) (The Associated Press)

A transport assistant waits behind the fence of the closed tube station at Victoria as tube drivers are on strike in London, Thursday, July 9, 2015. Drivers and station staff were walking out for 24 hours from 6:30 p.m. (1730GMT) Wednesday in a dispute over pay and schedules when a 24-hour subway service starts on some lines later this year.The Underground handles 4 million journeys a day, and the strike by members of four unions will likely paralyze the capital's transport system, despite extra bus and river services. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) (The Associated Press)

Commuters queue for buses as tube drivers are on strike in London, Thursday, July 9, 2015. Drivers and station staff were walking out for 24 hours from 6:30 p.m. (1730GMT) Wednesday in a dispute over pay and schedules when a 24-hour subway service starts on some lines later this year. The Underground handles 4 million journeys a day, and the strike by members of four unions will likely paralyze the capital's transport system, despite extra bus and river services. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) (The Associated Press)

London commuters are struggling to cope with the effects of a 24-hour strike that has shut the city's subway system.

There were long lines for buses and many walked or cycled to work Thursday during the morning rush hour. Vehicle traffic was far heavier than usual, causing gridlock in parts of the capital.

Drivers and station staff have walked out in a disagreement over wages and schedules that will go into effect when 24-hour service is introduced on some lines later this year.

The Underground system, commonly called the Tube, usually handles 4 million journeys during a business day.

Britain's prime minister and London's mayor have condemned the strike by four major unions as unjustified.