Summary Commuters rushed home ahead of the start of the strike at 6:30 pm.
LONDON (AFP) - The first London Underground strike shutdown since 2002 got underway on Wednesday, as drivers protested pay and plans for a new 24-hour service due to start in September.
Commuters rushed home ahead of the start of the strike at 6:30 pm (1730 GMT), as unions mounted picket lines outside stations and Transport for London (TfL) began reporting delays.
A full shutdown is expected on Thursday, and TfL has warned that disruptions to the British capital s public transport could continue into Friday.
Transport for London (TfL), the local government organisation responsible for most aspects of London s transport system, said it would lay on 200 extra buses and more bicycle rental hubs, although it also posted walking maps of London on its website.
"Londoners who own a bike are encouraged to cycle to work," the network administrator said in a statement.
To reach the Wimbledon tennis tournament, which ends this weekend, TfL said it was organising a taxi-sharing service from the nearest train station.
"We re very clear that it s unacceptable and unjustified. It s going to hit families, workers, businesses across the capital," Prime Minister David Cameron s spokeswoman said at a daily briefing.
London Mayor Boris Johnson tweeted: "Tube strike politically motivated - union bosses need to explain why they refuse to put new offer to members - disgraceful - call it off!"
New all-night Underground services are due to start in September on several lines and staff have been offered an average 2.0-percent pay rise this year, inflation-linked rises for the next two years and a GBP 2,000 bonus for each driver on the new overnight service.
This offer was rejected by unions on Wednesday.
London Underground s managing director Mike Brown said an all-night Tube service would support jobs and boost the city s economy, adding that the offer had been "remarkably fair".
But Finn Brennan of the Aslef trade union accused managers of playing "foolish games of brinkmanship".
