LONDON (AFP) - Workers on London's Underground train system kicked off a 48-hour strike at 9:00 pm (1:00pm Singapore time) on Tuesday, threatening chaos for commuters on Wednesday and Thursday.

Dozens of "Tube" stations will remain shut and lines will either be entirely closed or carry a limited service as thousands of staff protest against hundreds of job losses.

The Central line, which runs east-west through the heart of the British capital, is expected to be particularly affected.

Neither buses nor Thames boat services will be affected by the strike.

Around 100 extra buses will be laid on to try and minimise disruption.

Two unions - the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) - are carrying out the strike over the closure of ticket offices.

Without a deal, another two-day walkout is planned next week.

London's Underground system, the oldest in the world, carries around three million passengers daily.