The walkout by members of the Nation Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport workers, which began at 8pm last night, caused severe disruption on all lines and closed stations. The strike is due to continue until 8pm tonight and services are not expected to return to normal until tomorrow morning.
London Underground advised the capital's 1m commuters to walk home, not wait for crowded buses. The AA said there could be up to 70,000 extra vehicles on the roads today.
Ken Livingstone, London's mayor, said he was "trying to remove the cause of the dispute, which is the PPP".
Action by the RMT union whose members include 7,500 signal workers, station and maintenance staff and 38% of drivers on the tube, is in protest at the government's proposed public-private partnership for the underground. The union says the plans will compromise safety and affect jobs.
Jimmy Knapp, RMT's general secretary, has complained to the health and safety executive that London Underground issued safety licences this week to staff who had not received the normal training.
Updated information for passengers from London Travel Information: 020-7222 1234. Or at www.thetube.com and www.transportforlondon.co.uk
