Two 24-hour Tube strikes are expected to cause chaos for London’s transport network this week as members of The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) kick off the first of three strikes expected over the coming months.
Ministers and Sir Sadiq Khan have been urged to end the union’s “stranglehold” on the capital, but there has been no sign yet of the action easing.
The drivers’ dispute is over the introduction of a four-day working week, which the RMT says could increase fatigue and compromise safety.
The strikes will affect the entire Tube network. While a reduced service will run across most lines, significant disruption is expected. TfL has said that services running will be less frequent and very busy.
Tube services that do run will also finish early.
No service is expected on the Piccadilly and Circle lines, the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, and on the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
Here’s exactly when the strikes take place this week.
When are the Tube strikes this week?
Drivers from the RMT union will strike from midday on Tuesday until midday on Wednesday, and again from midday on Thursday until midday on Friday.
This means that disruption can be expected for evening commutes on Tuesday, morning commutes on Wednesday, evening commutes on Thursday, and morning commutes on Friday.
Strikes are also planned across seven bus routes operated by Stagecoach from Bow Bus Garage this week, affecting the following routes from 5am Friday until 5am Saturday: 8, 25, 205, 425, N8, N25 and N205.
The Elizabeth Line, DLR, Tram and Overground services will be running as normal, however they’re expected to be busier than normal.
The Standard has put together on how to navigate the capital during the strikes, detailing all alternative travel options for commuters this week.
