TfL: List of bus routes with ‘little or no service’ during Unite strikes this month

UPDATE 13/6/23: London bus strikes suspended - Unite members consider new pay offer

Strike action this month will leave buses in north London - and parts of central and east London - with little or no service.

TfL says the majority of London’s network will operate as normal on days when walkouts are staged by Unite union members.

Around 1,700 bus drivers will walk out over pay on June 20-21 and June 27-28. The drivers have rejected a 7% pay increase, with the union pointing out it is a real-terms pay cut with inflation at 11.4%. Further action will be called if a resolution is not reached.

The Arriva bus garages the drivers operate from are Ash Grove, Barking, Clapton, Edmonton, Enfield, Palmers Green, Tottenham and Wood Green.

TfL is advising Londoners to plan ahead and leave extra time for journeys. The action will affect 46 routes.

When are the strikes

Bus services will be impacted by Unite strike action from 5am on Tuesday June 20 to 5am on Thursday June 22, and from 5am on Tuesday June 27 to 5am on Thursday June 29.

Which TfL bus routes are affected? 

The following routes are impacted by the strikes: 19, 29, 34, 38, 41, 73, 78, 102, 121, 123, 141, 144, 149, 150, 158, 175, 191, 192, 221, 242, 243, 253, 254, 259, 279, 307, 313, 318, 325, 329, 340, 341, 349, 377, 675, W3, W4, W6, N19, N29, N38, N41, N73, N242, N253, N279.

Alternative routes

Where possible, TfL says customers should consider alternative transport such as London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line, National Rail services or walking and cycling, with Santander Cycles available.

E-scooters can be hired in the City of London, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth (north of the borough only), Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Tower Hamlets (limited parking at Canary Wharf and some TfL stations) and Westminster.

TfL says customers who need to use buses in the areas affected should try to travel at quieter times as during the busiest times it may not be possible to board the first bus.

TfL bus director

Louise Cheeseman, TfL’s director of buses, said: “If this action goes ahead there will still be options for people to travel in north London and parts of central and east London, but other routes may be busier than normal. We’re encouraging everyone who might be affected to plan ahead, check before they travel and leave more time for their journeys. Our website is a really easy way to check your travel, whether that’s days in advance or whilst on the move.

“We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute to avoid disruption to Londoners.”

Unite

The union says drivers cannot afford to live in London on the starting pay rate of £13.65 per hour.

Referencing dividends paid by Arriva owner Deutsche Bahn to the German government in profit transfers, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva is an extremely wealthy company but it has got its priorities all wrong. It needs to be concentrating on paying its workers fairly rather than providing the German government with huge dividends.

“Unite is totally focussed on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the bus drivers at Arriva will receive the union’s complete support.”

Unite regional officer Steven Stockwell said: “The strike action is set to create travel chaos across London but this dispute is totally of Arriva’s own making. It has had every chance to make our members an offer that meets their expectations but has refused to do so.”

Arriva was contacted for comment.

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