London’s Tube network faces severe disruption as train drivers stage strikes over contentious changes to working conditions. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) members initiated a 24-hour walkout starting midday Tuesday and are set to strike again today at noon, intensifying travel chaos across the capital. Meanwhile, several bus routes will also experience interruptions due to a separate strike action.
Strike Schedule: When and How Travel Will Be Affected
The initial Tube strike began at 12pm on Tuesday, with the second commencing at 12pm today. Transport for London (TfL) forecasts significant disruptions on all lines during these periods.
Thursday, 23 April
- Normal Tube service until mid-morning
- Service frequency diminishes late morning ahead of strike
- From noon, widespread disruption across every Tube line as strikes begin
- Limited trains running will cease operations early; travelers must complete journeys by 8pm
Friday, 24 April
- Tube services start later, with no trains expected before 7:30am
- Major disruption on all lines until midday
- Service recovery will be gradual in the afternoon and evening; delays remain likely
TfL urges passengers to plan journeys in advance using its journey planner and monitor real-time line status on the live updates page.
Lines Severely Affected by the Strikes
All Tube lines will experience disruption, though some services will operate at reduced frequency. TfL warns of overcrowding and the possibility that travelers may be unable to board the first train that arrives.
No service at all will run on:
- Piccadilly Line
- Circle Line
- Metropolitan Line between Baker Street and Aldgate
- Central Line between White City and Liverpool Street
In contrast, the Elizabeth Line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will continue running normally during strike days.
Additional Strikes Impacting London Buses
While most London buses will operate as usual, Unite the Union confirmed that 150 bus station and network traffic controllers will strike from Thursday through Saturday, aligning with the Tube walkouts.
A separate 24-hour bus strike will affect seven routes operated by Stagecoach from Bow Bus Garage, starting at 5am Friday. The routes impacted include:
- 8
- 25
- 205
- 425
- N8
- N25
- N205
TfL expects near-normal service on routes 25 and 425 throughout the strikes. The N8 will operate a reduced route between Hainault and Liverpool Street at its usual frequency. Severe delays and cancellations are anticipated on the other affected routes.
Why Are the Tube Strikes Happening?
The core dispute centers on TfL’s proposal to implement a four-day working week for train drivers, condensing their weekly hours. The RMT has branded this plan as “fake,” arguing it undermines workers’ conditions.
RMT suspended strike action last month after London Underground management agreed to negotiate but reignited the walkouts following a perceived U-turn by TfL last Saturday.
Eddie Dempsey, RMT General Secretary, stated: “Despite approaching negotiations with TfL in good faith, they remain unwilling to make any compromises to avoid strike action. This unwillingness baffles our negotiators and will frustrate members eager for a negotiated solution to this avoidable dispute.”
Claire Mann, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, responded: “Our four-day week proposal offers train operators an additional day off while aligning London Underground with other train companies’ working patterns. This improves reliability and flexibility at no extra cost. The changes would be voluntary with no reduction in contractual hours, allowing those wishing to maintain a five-day week to do so.”
