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Have you been struggling with London’s stifling heat this summer? Think of the bus drivers. During periods of hot weather in-cab temperatures can soar beyond 40C. In response to those working conditions, 1,500 drivers are walking out across London from this week.
The striking drivers work for Arriva London North and they’re part of the Unite union. They’re based at eight bus garages and work on routes across north, east and central London, as well as Essex. Eleven walk-outs are planned across 26 dates, impacting 40 routes – including not just normal London buses but also night buses, school services and Superloops.
Worried that your local bus route will be hit by strikes? Here’s what you need to know about the industrial action, including the dates and full list of affected routes.
When are London bus drivers going on strike?
Drivers are striking on the following dates:
- August 14 (4am) to August 15 (4.30am)
- August 18 (4am) to August 21 (4.30am)
- August 25 (4am) to August 28 (4.30am)
- September 4 (4am) to September 5 (4.30am)
- September 7 (4am) to September 8 (4.30am)
- September 18 (4am) to September 19 (4.30am)
- September 21 (4am) to September 22 (4.30am)
- October 2 (4am) to October 3 (4.30am)
- October 5 (4am) to October 6 (4.30am)
- October 16 (4am) to October 17 (4.30am)
- October 19 (4am) to October 20 (4.30am)
Which bus routes will be affected by strikes?
The following services are set to be impacted by walk-outs.
- 19
- 29
- 34
- 41
- 66
- 67
- 76
- 102
- 121
- 141
- 149
- 150
- 175
- 191
- 192
- 217
- 221
- 243
- 248
- 254
- 259
- 279
- 307
- 313
- 329
- 341
- 349
- 370
- 375
- 377
- 616
- 675
- SL1
- SL2
- W3
- W4
- W6
- N19
- N29
- N41
- N279
TfL warns that ‘little or no service is expected on affected routes’ on strike dates.
Why are bus drivers going on strike?
More than 1,500 drivers will walk out, with Unite saying that the dispute is due to Arriva North having ‘failed to act on driver complaints about poor working conditions in hot weather’.
Unite says that current air-cooling systems only manage to reduce in-cab temperatures by ‘around two or three degrees’, saying that hot weather is both dangerous for drivers – causing heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration – and exacerbates fatigue.
The union also says that alleged union-busting is part of the dispute.
What’s been said about the bus strikes?
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Time and time again drivers have complained to Arriva North London about working in dangerous conditions but the company has failed to act which is completely unacceptable.
‘A profitable company such as Arriva could easily invest in improving conditions for its drivers and protecting the general public but is instead prioritising greed. We will back our members all the way in this dispute.’
TfL said: ‘We are working together on a range of measures to further improve working conditions, health and wellbeing.
‘We are committed to ensuring that all staff have a fair work schedule, with safe vehicles and access to the facilities they need to carry out their roles effectively.
‘We would like to reassure colleagues again that any reports from drivers are always fully investigated and our operators should never take action against people raising concerns about welfare.’
Which London bus garages are affected by the strikes?
Arriva North drivers at the following garages are walking out:
- Barking
- Edmonton
- Enfield
- Grays
- Palmers Green
- Stamford Hill
- Tottenham
- Wood Green
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