London is being hit with a wave of bus and Tube strikes as drivers continue to raise disputes over pay and conditions.
Tube strikes are planned from Friday, 5 September for seven days, while bus strikes took place last week and on Monday.
In a separate dispute over pay and conditions, workers on the DLR will also be striking from 7 September, resulting in significant disruption to London’s transport network.
See also: TfL warns passengers of four-day shutdown next week if RMT action goes ahead
The RMT union which represents Tube drivers said the “dismissive approach” of Transport for London’s management of drivers’ demands for better pay and fatigue management has “fuelled widespread anger and distrust among the workforce”.
“The strikes come after management refused to engage seriously with union demands on pay, fatigue management, extreme shift patterns and a reduction in the working week, as well as failing to honour previous agreements made with staff,” RMT said.
As drivers continue to walk out in their campaign for higher wages, what do Tube and bus drivers actually make in London? Here’s what we know.
How much do TfL Tube drivers get paid?
According to data revealed by a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request made to TfL, the annual salary for a Tube operator, meaning driver, in April 2024 was £65,179, while advanced operators made £75,677.
On average, Tube drivers work around 35 hours a week over roughly three and a half shifts. The standard hourly rate for a regular operator was £35.70, while advanced operators made £39.20 an hour.
The overtime rate per hour for a standard driver was £44.62 and £49.00 for advanced drivers.
How much do TfL bus drivers get paid?
London bus drivers can expect to make between £15 and £20 an hour, depending on their level of expertise.
This amounts to approximately £31,000 to £37,440 annually.
How much do Elizabeth line drivers earn?
Elizabeth line drivers make significantly more than the average Tube driver after a deal to raise their salaries to £75,000 was made in February.
