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Next week drivers on the London Underground will begin a series of strikes set to take place across April, May and June 2026. However, they aren’t the only transport workers in the capital who’re walking out.
Do you rely on buses to get out and about in east London? Watch out, this week you might have to navigate strike action. Seven bus routes will be impacted by a strike.
The strikes are part of an ongoing dispute between bus drivers – represented by Unite – and the East London Bus & Coach Company, which is part of Stagecoach. A total of 300 drivers will walk out, with Unite alleging that drivers at the Bow garage are suffering from fatigue due to long-distance shifts without adequate breaks. The upcoming strikes follow a four-day walk-out on March 19-22.
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 will strike on Friday April 17, then again on Fridays April 24 and May 15. On each day TfL says the walk-out will impact services from 5am on the Friday until 5am on the following Saturday.
- Friday April 17
- Friday April 24
- Friday May 15
Which bus routes will be affected by strikes?
The following services are set to be impacted by walk-outs on April 17 and 24, and May 15.
- 8
- 25
- 205
- 425
- N8
- N25
- N205
However, TfL anticipates that the 25 and 425 will run a ‘near normal’ service throughout most of the strike days.
Why are bus drivers going on strike?
A total of 300 drivers will walk out, with Unite saying that the dispute is over fatigue. Drivers at the Bow bus garage are allegedly being made to cover long distances without adequate breaks, while not having sufficient time to recuperate between shifts. Unite says this can not only cause fatigue, but increases the risk of accidents.
What’s been said about the bus strikes?
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Stagecoach is behaving appallingly, overworking drivers, creating a huge issue of fatigue and not giving them essential breaks.
‘Fatigue is not just everyday tiredness, it is highly dangerous for both drivers and the general public. Unite will always ensure that our members receive good conditions and this dispute is no exception - the drivers at Stagecoach have our full backing.’
A Stagecoach spokesperson told the BBC that it has been holding ‘detailed discussions’ with Unite at Bow for ‘many months’, adding:
‘There is no reason for any driver to work fatigued as they are encouraged to say if they are not safe to drive before and during all duties and are not financially penalised if they do so.’
A TfL spokesperson said: ‘We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute and we're sorry for any disruption to people's journeys.’
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