While the Tube network is currently still facing major disruption, transport will slowly return to normal on the London Underground this afternoon after the latest walkout by drivers ended at midday.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) had been on their second 24-hour strike this week in a dispute over changes to the working week, including shift patterns.

Two major unions represent Tube drivers: the RMT and Aslef. In September, both unions took industrial action as part of a different dispute - but this time it was just the RMT, which means around half of Tube drivers were on strike.

The disruption saw people turning to walking and cycling to get around the capital.

Businesses say the strike has hit their margins as some customers stayed away.

Further industrial action is planned in May and June unless the dispute is resolved.

You can find live updates for the status of London's travel network on TfL's website, external.

We're now ending our live coverage - thank you for joining us.

While this strike is over, there are still another four walkouts due to take place in May and June - although negotiations between the RMT and TfL are planned for next week.

If talks fail they are set to happen on:

• 19–20 May (12:00 Tuesday - 11:59 Wednesday)
• 21–22 May (12:00 Thursday - 11:59 Friday)
• 16–17 June (12:00 Tuesday - 11:59 Wednesday)
• 18–19 June (12:00 Thursday - 11:59 Friday)

In addition to increased demand for TfL's cycle hire scheme, rental bike companies in London saw a surge in customer numbers during the strikes.

Lime bikes reports a 22% increase in trips yesterday in London compared with the same day last week.

Forest says there was over a 50% increase in rides compared to the same time last week in Thursday's evening rush hour and rides were up 36% this morning.

We've also previously heard from Voi which said it had seen large numbers of customers using their e-bikes and e-scooters.

James W Kelly
At King's Cross station

It's all quiet at King’s Cross as this week’s industrial action draws to an end.

While the RMT drivers strike caused disruption for many, services appear to have coped as well as can be expected and we did not see a repeat of the chaos caused by September’s full strike that included the Aslef union.

The Piccadilly line could still take some time to get fully started again after the strike officially ended, a TfL staff member tells me.

The route has been running limited services at its eastern and western ends but services will make a gradual return elsewhere.

The second 24-hour walkout by RMT drivers on the Tube has come to an end, although disruption is expected to affect London travel into the afternoon.

Tom Edwards
Transport Correspondent, BBC London

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

As we reported earlier TfL says customer journeys were 12% down on normal this week across the whole network.

Many commuters and visitors who did venture into London walked or switched to cycling, with TfL's bike hire scheme up 28%.

On the transport network there was a big jump in the number of passengers using the Elizabeth line (up by 33%) and the Overground (up by 18%). Buses saw a 6% increase in journeys taken.

Passenger levels on the Tube roughly matched the number of services running at about 50% of normal levels.

You get the impression as it wasn’t a total closure, London simply got on with it.

The disruption has not been as horrendous as we have had previously - it's been more an inconvenience for Londoners.

In addition to the Tube strike, hundreds of bus drivers walked out for a sixth time at an east London bus depot today over fears fatigue problems could affect safety.

The Unite members are based at the Bow bus garage run by Stagecoach's East London Bus & Coach Company.

Unite said drivers did not have "adequate breaks", had extra weekend working and had insufficient time between shifts to recuperate, with "near misses" reported.

A Stagecoach spokesperson said "schedules, driver duties and rotas are compiled strictly within the law" with safety in mind and remained "comfortably within agreed" limits, despite recent changes to routes.

Read more about the dispute here.

Jim Davis
BBC Radio London presenter

It's much quieter than normal at Oxford Circus at this time on a Friday morning.

Normally the gateway to London's busiest shopping street is bustling by now but so far this morning that's not the case.

There is no Central line currently stopping here of course.

With London seemingly quieter than normal as people stay at home, many businesses say they've struggled from the drop in footfall.

A pub manager tells BBC Radio London that the strikes have been "catastrophic", causing a loss of more than £10,000 in turnover for the business.

Ethan Glackin-Mccolgan, who runs the Trafalgar Pub on Chelsea's King's Road, says it's hard to open the doors knowing you've got the likelihood of an empty pub and restaurant.

"It was quite something to see just how quiet the King's Road was actually."

He says it's another "kick in the teeth" after rises in National Insurance contributions for employers and a hike in the minimum wage.

Glackin-Mccolgan says while he respects the right of workers to take industrial action there is no compensation for businesses who still have rents and rates to pay.

Susana Mendonca
At Highbury & Islington station

I’m surprised at how quiet my journey through Highbury & Islington has been this morning.

The Great Northern railway service wasn’t full and the Mildmay Overground line I took was pretty empty.

James W Kelly
At Stratford station

Elliot, who has flown in from New Jersey to visit his friend Bolaji, says the walkout had “no impact” getting in from Heathrow to Stratford on the Elizabeth line.

“I saw the strike on the TfL app but otherwise I haven’t seen any visible signs of one,” he says.

Bolaji says that while this morning has been “fairly straightforward”, travel disruption earlier this week had made him “pessimistic” about the strike impacting Elliot’s visit, but they plan to travel when it officially ends.

Nisha Patel
At Covent Garden Underground station

Here in Covent Garden I've been chatting to visitors to the city.

Dave and Sally are here from Sydney in Australia.

They arrived in the UK a week ago and Dave says he's really enjoyed cycling around London, even though it has been busy while the walkout has been taking place.

The morning rush hour is coming to an end with the Piccadilly line status moving from suspended to part suspended.

That means it's only the Circle line which remains fully out of action.

Tom Edwards
Transport Correspondent, BBC London

Image source, Getty Images

Since the pandemic, passenger numbers on Fridays have been lower as more worked from home at the end of the week so that should help those who have to use the Tube.

The better weather has also meant many commuters resorting to walking or cycling.

TfL says it has been running about half of Tube services, perhaps not surprising as half of drivers are on strike.

The big question when this strike finishes is will TfL and the RMT be able to resolve the issue before the next one in May?

Rob Oxley
BBC Radio London

Yesterday evening the Northern line was packed and I couldn’t get on the first train because it was so busy.

This morning, despite severe delays, my train to central London was slightly quieter than usual.

James W Kelly
At Stratford station

Teacher Vicky says she has had to divert to Stratford to get the Overground as she makes her way to Camden.

“It’s not ideal,” she says. “It adds about half an hour to my usual 45 minute journey.”

Vicky says her school has been adapting start times so staff and students can get in during the strike days.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) tells BBC Radio London that the organisation is prepared to negotiate with Transport for London (TfL) but Tube drivers are "standing up for themselves and they're not prepared to allow for a much worse set of rosters to be forced on them".

Assistant general secretary John Leach says negotiations must lead to a position "where everyone is happy", but accused TfL management of having taken the attitude that it's "their way or the highway".

Leach insists the wishes of RMT members cannot be ignored.

"We're up for doing a deal but it's got to be one that's safe, so we don't want longer days and longer shifts and more time driving trains - it's got to be a quality four day week and then we're up for it."

He says further strikes will go ahead unless there is a "significant shift " in TfL's position.

Nisha Patel
At Covent Garden Underground station

Theresa, from Austria, is here in London until Monday.

She found out about the strikes on Instagram before she arrived so has just been using buses, taxis and walking to get around the capital.

"It's been fine" she says, before adding she will need to use the Tube tomorrow so is glad it will be running again.

With the rush hour in full swing, most Tube lines are currently running services but with fewer trains running than normal.

Currently the Circle and Piccadilly lines are entirely suspended, while other lines are either part suspended or have severe delays.

Image source, PA

This second walkout on the London Underground coincides with a separate strike by bus drivers in east London.

More than 300 bus drivers on seven routes walked out at Bow bus garage at 05:00 BST as part of a series of 24-hour strikes taking place on three Fridays - 17 April, 24 April and 15 May.

Explaining the reasons for the strike, Unite says drivers do not have "adequate breaks", face extra weekend working and have insufficient time between shifts to recuperate, with "near misses" reported.

A Stagecoach spokesperson says "schedules, driver duties and rotas are compiled strictly within the law" with safety in mind and remained "comfortably within agreed" limits, despite recent changes to routes.

The routes affected by the action are: 8, N8, 25, N25, 425, 205 and N205.

TFL's Nick Dent told the BBC this morning that the bus strikes are having a "limited impact".

He says Stagecoach are working closely with Unite to try to avoid further disputes.