TUBE workers walked out yesterday evening for a 24-hour strike in protest at job cuts.

Commuters faced misery this morning as they tried to get to work although Transport for London claimed 40 per cent of tube trains were in operation, exceeding expectations.

Unions said 11,000 members were taking part in the walkout which started last night.

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) and Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are involved in the dispute over plans to cut 800 mainly ticket office jobs.

A service is operating on all but one tube line, the Circle, although there are some station closures, including Swiss Cottage, and TfL say a good service is operating on the buses and Overground.

Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Underground, said: “We are doing everything we can to keep as many Tube services as possible operating today and more trains will be coming into service as the day goes on. We are also keeping Londoners moving by providing extra buses, river services, and other alternatives.

“Londoners will face some disruption, but over 40 per cent of Tube trains are running with services on all but one line, meaning that the city is not paralysed and people are able to get around. Many more services are operating than during the last strike, exceeding our earlier expectations.”

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “All we have been asking is that the London Mayor stick to the pledge he made during his election campaign, when he too recognised that people wanted to see stations staffed properly. The message is simple: suspend these cuts and we will suspend our action.”

To check travel updates visit www.tfl.gov.uk.