Ultimately, the lines most affected by a Tube strike aren’t just the Underground lines. They’re the lines of weary commuters at bus stops, the lines of sweaty cyclists in bike lanes, and the line you cross from “I’m fine” to “I’m now eating a pre-packed sandwich at 8 AM under a bridge.” The Tube strike is a great equalizer—it reminds everyone that no matter your job or salary, you can still be defeated by a broken escalator and a five-minute walk to a replacement bus that never arrives.
So next time the strike hits, remember this: the Central line will be dead, the Jubilee will be a ghost, and the DLR will smugly continue its robot journey. And you? You’ll be there, legs aching, wondering if you can expense a pair of roller skates as “essential transport.” Welcome to London, baby.
