British media: On the first day of the British rail strike, London's Waterloo station is "like a desert"

　　[Global Times Special Correspondent in the UK Ji Shuangcheng] About 40,000 railway workers in the UK started the "largest strike in 30 years" from the 21st due to the breakdown of labor-management negotiations.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the strike was causing "significant disruption and inconvenience to the country" and was "very wrong and unnecessary".

　　According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report on the 21st, this is the first time in nearly 33 years that only 20% of the train lines in the UK remain in operation, and major stations across the UK will be closed until 7:30 on the 22nd.

Waterloo Railway Station, one of London's busiest transportation hubs, was "like a desert" in the early morning of the 21st.

Thousands of people unable to work from home have been forced to drive to work, with those living in parts of Scotland and Wales most affected.

In addition, about 10,000 employees of the London Underground also held a 24-hour strike on the 21st.

　　According to a report by Sky News on the 21st, Lewis, a citizen of Cardiff, the capital of Wales, was going to Newport to attend an important meeting that morning. He was desperately waiting at the railway station for the extremely limited number of operating trains.

Of course he could order a ride-hailing ride himself, but that would cost at least £40 more, and only if the driver agreed not to increase the price, Lewis said.

Taxi fares have skyrocketed "rocketing" in some areas due to a strike on the rail system.

The price of a taxi from London Heathrow Airport to the city has more than tripled to £200 on the 21st.

　　According to a report by the BBC on the 21st, Johnson said at a cabinet meeting that day that strike action would hurt businesses that are recovering from the epidemic.

He stressed that the UK must "hold on" to rail reform, and without modernising the industry, train operators risk going bankrupt and passengers face rising fares that could lead them to abandon rail travel.

British Transport Secretary Shapps said the government will amend laws to make it mandatory for railway operators to provide a minimum service during the strike.