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More tube strikes are on the way. RMT drivers will be walking out for six 24-hour periods in April, May and June. The first day of strikes will be this week, with two walk-outs straddling four days from Tuesday April 21 to Friday April 24.
Before you panic and sign up to a Lime bike subscription, you do have options. Here’s everything you need to know about using the Elizabeth line during the strike period.
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🚇 How to get around London during April’s RMT industrial action.
⛔️ The full list of dates and train services impacted by RMT train strikes in April, May and June 2026
✈️ How to get to London airports during next week’s RMT industrial action
RMT union members voted in favour of action back in February, with strikes called for the London Underground. Walk-outs that were supposed to take place in March were suspended, but for now further action will still be going ahead. The action will only be affecting services on the Underground, meaning that the DLR, Overground and Elizabeth lines will all still be operating. London buses will be affected by separate strikes in April and May.
RMT drivers are striking over a proposal to condense the working week into four days, resulting in changing shift patterns.
A representative from RMT said: ‘Our members will not accept TfL's plan to condense the working week for tube drivers where shift patterns will become unpredictable leading to fatigue and increasing safety risks.
‘A majority of tube drivers when asked have rejected these proposals. And our members are prepared to take industrial action if there is no change in course by TfL.’
When are the spring 2026 tube strikes?
Here are all the dates when drivers will strike for 24 hours. This week’s dates are in bold.
- April 21-22 (12pm to 11.59am)
- April 23-24 (12pm to 11.59am)
- May 19-20 (12pm to 11.59am)
- May 21-22 (12pm to 11.59am)
- June 16-17 (12pm to 11.59am)
- June 18-19 (12pm to 11.59am)
Will the Elizabeth line be affected?
No, strikes won’t be happening on the purple line, but services may be busier than usual. Some stations may also have restricted interchange access.
Which lines are affected by the strikes?
During April 21-22 and April 23-24, TfL expects to run a reduced service will run across most lines. However, significant disruption is still expected. The following tube services will be shut:
- The Piccadilly and Circle lines.
- The Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate.
- The Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
Find out more about the status of the Overground during the strikes here.
Some good news: You can ride a vintage 1930s tube train in London next month.
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