....first off though, it's worth noting the improved offer from LU:

"LU made an improved offer of a four-year deal of 1.5% this year and
then the inflation rate plus 0.5%; or a two-year deal of 1% now and
inflation plus 0.5% in year two."

See:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8088708.stm

I can understand that the rationale behind the union not wanting to
sign a five year deal, as much may change in the next few years. But
here's the offer of a two year deal - I find it difficult to see how
they can turn their nose up at that. Of course I'd think LU would
prefer them to opt for the four year deal as that takes it past the
Olympics, but it seems they're willing to do a two year deal as well.
Of course I don't know the details, so perhaps there's various things
chucked in with the four year pay offer to spice it up somewhat over
the two year pay offer.


Anyway, leaving aside the brinkmanship I see from the splash on the
front page of the TfL website that they've got a number of contingency
plans up their sleeve should the strike go ahead - see the news
release he
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/medi...tre/11971.aspx

There's several things of note...

* Most strikingly Oyster PAYG "will be accepted on all National Rail
journeys within Greater London on Wednesday and Thursday, just show
your Oyster card at station gate lines". In practice I'm pretty sure
this means that anyone who can flash an Oyster card can travel on NR
services in London.

It'll be interesting to see what is done where Oyster PAYG is accepted
for part of a National Rail (NR) route, but not for all of it -
specifically how unresolved journeys will be handled. A good example
of this is someone's normal commute from Bounds Green to King's Cross
on the Piccadilly line - instead they'll be able to travel from Bowes
Park NR station to King's Cross on FCC's Great Northern service.
Normally Oyster PAYG is only accepted on the GN service between
Finsbury Park and King's Cross/ all stations to Moorgate. However on
strike day they'd end up simply touching-out at King's Cross as they
can't touch-in at Bowes Park, and likewise on their way home touching-
in at KX and not being able to touch-out at Bowes Park.

This could be dealt with by reconfiguring all the relevant Oyster
readers (on gates and standalone validators) at NR stations to simply
debit the amount for the minimum journey from that station, i.e.
switch off the 'entry charge' system and revert to how things were
before it was introduced, and also stop unresolved journeys breaking
capping. At least this is what I'd do! If it happens I imagine it
might possibly be more easily implemented on a network-wide basis, as
opposed to trying to single out the relevant stations. Anyway, we
shall see how that plays out.

Regardless of the unresolved journey issue, passing Oyster PAYG across
NR would certainly lead to a degree of confusion in the mind's of many
passengers, given the "always touch-in, always touch-out" mantra
that's been drilled into them! Are NR staff prepared for the
questioning?!

Looking at it more generally, TfL must be prepared to hand over some
serious cash to the TOCs for effectively allowing free travel on the
NR network (but shush, just make sure you don't phrase it like that!).


* There will be "five escorted cycle rides", which will set off from
their start points at 0745 - none of which are actually very far out
of town, but I think it's often the final stretch into central London
that puts people off cycling to work. This is being organised by the
London Cycle Campaign - they've dubbed it "BikeTube(s)" and have a
special website about it he
http://www.biketube.org.uk/

The aforementioned website also has a load of other more general
information about commuter cycling - all the sensible stuff like fix
yer bike up, ride safely, plan your route etc. LCC are evidently
trying to take this opportunity to convert more people over to
cycling.

* Also with regards to cycling, there'll be extra cycle parking places
at five central London locations - if my sums are correct, there'll be
750 extra parking places at four locations plus 1,000 extra at the pre-
existing London Bridge cycle park (it's unclear if this will cost or
not - normally you've got to pay). Plus TfL reckon many business will
provide space somewhere.


* London Overground is apparently "operating as normal", so it seems
TfL are confident that the LUL managed stations can stay open.
("Operating as normal" on the NLL of course means getting stuck behind
a 'failed' freight train, or having a slow freight train sent out just
in front of a passenger train.)

* Extra river bus services will operate, including a "free peak
shuttle" between London Eye - Westminster - Tower Bridge "every 10
minutes between 07:00-10:00 and 15:00-20:00 on both main strike days"
i.e. Wednesday and Thursday.

* There'll be marshalled taxi sharing from seven London termini
stations.

* Walking maps for central London will be handed out at major rail and
bus stations and at "key Tube stations".


So, all the fun of the fair. If it encourages some more people to
'discover' walking or cycling then perhaps there can be some good that
comes from it all. Apols if the tenses got a bit confused above - that
just reflects the uncertainty over whether the strike is going to
happen or not. They keep you on your toes, the RMT, of that one can be
sure.