An easy-going tube driver was caught knitting and watching videos on his phone while driving commuters around one of the busiest transport networks in the world.
Striking footage shows the London Underground operative hard at work on a lion-themed garment as he pulls slowly out of Hendon Central Station in February 2025.
The man’s phone is also positioned comfortably in front of him so he can watch videos at his leisure.
A witness who filmed the spectacle – which took place on a Northern Line train – commented disapprovingly, ‘look at him… watching TV, pressing a couple of buttons’.
He went on to reference the money the driver earns each year and claimed he can go on strike ‘whenever he wants’.
The witness later recalled: ‘I was so surprised.
‘I didn’t expect to see someone meant to be at work being so casual about the job.
‘Especially because at the time, there were tube strikes going on so it felt mad they were complaining about the job then relaxing on it.
Striking footage shows the London Underground operative hard at work on a lion-themed garment as he pulls slowly out of Hendon Central Station in February 2025
The man’s phone is also positioned comfortably in front of him so he can watch videos at his leisure
A witness said: ‘I didn’t expect to see someone meant to be at work being so casual about the job’
‘And, although I don’t know how automatic the system is for the tubes, I remember thinking that this person has the passengers’ lives in their hands.
‘It felt crazy that this driver wouldn’t take that more seriously.’
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed the driver in the video was sacked from his job.
A spokesman said: ‘This video was made earlier in the year.
‘We carried out a full investigation and the person involved no longer works at TfL.’
Many social media users have taken to TikTok to share their thoughts on the video.
One person said: ‘He’s risking his career for a bit of TV.’
Another added: ‘The driver shouldn’t be doing that, they should be focussing – that’s dangerous.’
But a number of people offered their support to the tube worker amid the criticism.
Someone said: ‘What do you want him to be doing? Steering?’
Another person commented: ‘Why are people complaining about train drivers’ wages, they trained hard and it’s a lot more complicated than pressing a few buttons.’
A third concluded: ‘And he’s just lost his job because you’re a grass.’
