London Faces 26 Days of Bus Strikes
More than 1,500 Arriva North London bus drivers are set to strike across 26 days between August and October in a dispute over working conditions during hot weather. Unite says drivers have reported heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration, while many buses use air-cooling systems rather than full air conditioning. The first walkout is scheduled for 14 August, with disruption expected across north London and some central routes.
When London Bus Services Will Be Hit
- August: 14–15, 18–21 and 25–28
- September: 4–5, 7–8, 18–19 and 21–22
- October: 2–3, 5–6, 16–17 and 19–20
- Affected garages: Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green
- Extra disruption: Some August and September dates coincide with planned Piccadilly line closures
"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."
The dispute centres on conditions inside drivers’ cabs during recent heatwaves. Unite says Arriva North London has not responded adequately to complaints about excessive heat and has given members a letter they can use if a cab becomes too hot to work safely. Drivers at eight garages are involved, making this a sizeable action rather than a dispute affecting one depot or a handful of routes.
Some August and September strike dates will also overlap with planned Piccadilly line closures, which could put extra pressure on other transport.TfL told media that most of London’s bus network is expected to operate as planned, although services in affected areas may be busier than usual. Anyone travelling through north or central London should check TfL Go before leaving and allow extra time for connections.
The strikes will not shut down London’s entire bus network, but repeated walkouts over three months make advance planning more important than usual. Visitors with hotels, rail connections or attractions in affected areas should avoid relying on a single bus route and check alternatives on the day. With Tube closures adding pressure on some dates, journeys that normally look straightforward may need extra time or a different route.