Tube Closures, Train Derailment and Storm Austen Hit London Travel as TfL Weighs Taxi Fare Rise

London commuters and weekend travellers face widespread disruption across the capital's rail and Underground networks, alongside warnings as Storm Austen hits the UK. London Now reported on Friday afternoon that severe Tube line delays and closures hit London commuters during the Friday rush hour. Looking ahead, London Now also reported that major London Tube closures are scheduled to take place this weekend and during half-term. According to an update from the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham on Friday, the planned disruptions include District and Piccadilly line closures both this weekend and next.

Rail services in the capital have also been affected, with RailAdvent reporting on Friday that trains were suspended and diverted following a London train derailment. At the same time, residents are being urged to prepare for bad weather as Storm Austen hits the UK, with the London Evening Standard reporting on Friday evening that Londoners have been told to "batten down your gardens". Separate from the day's disruptions, the Doncaster Free Press reported on Friday that a transport boss visited a Doncaster firm that is helping to keep the London Underground running.

On the capital's roads, TfL is considering a taxi fare rise as drivers' costs increase, according to a Friday report by London Now. Meanwhile, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is facing criticism over working conditions for London bus drivers. Both the Barnet Post and the Waltham Forest Echo reported on Friday that a campaigner claims Khan is still not going far enough on improving conditions for London bus drivers. That view followed a report published by My London on Thursday featuring a worker who has been driving London buses for 18 years and said that "Sadiq Khan doesn't have our back".