Commuters face combined strikes on bus and Tube

London is facing a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers.

Unions today gave warning that combined walkouts over pay and conditions could cost the capital's economy millions and hit businesses.

Up to 2,500 drivers and other staff began a 48-hour strike today, halting up to nearly 60 routes across east London. The action affected the East London Bus Group, which operates 750 buses in Barking, Bow, Leyton, Romford, Upton Park and West Ham.

Bosses of Unite, London's biggest transport union, ordered the stoppage when the company imposed a pay freeze, blaming the recession.

Staff have also overwhelmingly backed walkouts at First Centre West, First Capital East, and Hackney Community Transport. Strike dates have yet to be announced.

Steve Hart, Unite regional secretary, said: "There will be a major strike wave across London."

On Monday Unite will announce the strike ballot result among 750 Tube staff, including key engineering workers, in a pay dispute. The union is confident of "overwhelming" support. The RMT, the Tube's largest union whose members include trains drivers and signal workers, yesterday announced a strike ballot, too.

A Tube safety row broke out today after revelations that track inspections on the Jubilee line from Westminster to Stratford are to be halved to once a week. Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said the cuts would spread to other lines and were to save money.