The Tube strike goes ahead as planned after talks to resolve the situation broke down just days before. Without the use of the Tube the traffic has almost been brought to stand still due to hundreds of thousands of commuters being forced to find alternative routes to work. [Photo/IC]

TfL have put an extra 200 buses in circulation and extra cycles are available during the course of the strike.

"I am very sorry your journey has been disrupted. This strike is unnecessary," Mike Brown, managing director of the London Underground apologized to customers on Thursday morning.

Local media said the final offer of London Underground included a two percent raise and a 2,000-pound (3,080 US dollars) bonus for drivers working the night shift, but this was rejected by representatives from four unions.

"I think most reasonable people will look at the offer that's on the table from the London Underground and find it impossible to fathom why the unions are rejecting it," London Mayor Boris Johnson said.

He said the strike was "totally unnecessary" and added "We are going to get on with the night Tube and ultimately this strike will achieve nothing."

TfL said the 24-hour night Tube services would support 2,000 permanent jobs and boost the British economy by 360 million pounds.