The planned strikes by Tube and bus drivers in London next week are set to cause significant travel disruptions, as Transport for London (TfL) has indicated that two major lines will be completely out of service. Passengers are being warned to prepare for considerable inconvenience during this period.
Members of the RMT union are scheduled to initiate a walkout starting at midday on Tuesday, April 21, lasting for 24 hours, and will strike again from midday on Thursday, April 23, for another 24-hour period. During these strikes, most lines will operate on a reduced schedule, with the Piccadilly and Circle lines expected to be entirely non-operational, according to TfL.
Additionally, there will be no service on the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, nor on the Central line between White City and Aldgate. Unlike previous strikes that began in the early morning hours, this action will commence at midday, potentially impacting commuters during peak travel times and affecting four consecutive working days.
Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and utilize the TfL Go app for real-time updates before traveling.
Reasons Behind the Strikes
The RMT union’s strike action is primarily in response to the proposed implementation of a four-day workweek, which union representatives argue could lead to increased fatigue among drivers and compromise safety. However, TfL has characterized the proposed changes as voluntary and has deemed the strikes as „completely unnecessary.“ Sources within TfL believe that the planned strike will proceed as scheduled, although they remain open to further negotiations.
When contacted for comment, the RMT union stated that they had no additional information to provide.
Impact on Upcoming Events
The timing of the strike action coincides with the London Marathon weekend, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city. Many runners will arrive in London ahead of the event, which anticipates over 750,000 spectators on race day, as they check into hotels and head to the ExCel Centre in Custom House to collect their race numbers.
TfL has indicated that travel earlier in the day on both Tuesday and Thursday should remain largely unaffected, with services operating normally until around midday. However, disruptions are expected to escalate from late morning, with „serious disruption“ anticipated in the afternoon.
While some level of disruption is expected, TfL has stated that it is not anticipated to be as severe as the strikes that occurred in September 2025, which resulted in commuters walking long distances to reach their destinations and significant queues forming outside the Elizabeth line.
Alternative Transport Options
During the strike period, services on the Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and tram services will continue to operate normally, although they are likely to experience increased passenger volumes. Buses are also expected to run largely as scheduled, despite separate strike action planned for Friday, April 24, which will affect a limited number of routes in east London.
A total of 300 bus drivers represented by Unite and the East London Bus & Coach Company will participate in a walkout due to disputes over long shifts and insufficient breaks. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham stated, „Our members at Bow bus garage should not be risking their lives just to go to work. The situation is appalling, not just for workers but for the general public. Stagecoach needs to take drivers‘ concerns seriously and act immediately. Drivers at Bow bus garage have Unite’s complete support during this dispute.“
Routes Affected by Bus Strikes
- 8
- N8
- 25
- N25
- 45
- 205
- N205
A spokesperson for the TCS London Marathon commented, „We are aware of planned industrial action by RMT Tube Drivers between Tuesday, April 21, and Friday, April 24. While services on the London Underground are expected to be disrupted, the DLR, Elizabeth line, London Overground, National Rail Services, buses, and River Services are all still running as normal. We encourage participants and visitors to the TCS London Marathon Running Show at the ExCel Centre to plan ahead using the TfL Journey Planner and to allow extra time for travel.“
The TCS London Marathon Running Show is scheduled to take place at the ExCel Centre from Wednesday to Friday, with hours from 10 AM to 8 PM, and on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The marathon itself will occur on Sunday, April 26.
Calls for Resolution
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London expressed concern over the impending strike action, stating, „Nobody wants to see strike action which has a serious impact on Londoners, businesses, and commuters. The Mayor continues to urge the RMT and TfL to get around the table to resolve this matter and call off this planned strike action.“
Various organizations have raised objections to the strikes, with additional action anticipated in May and June. Ruth Duston OBE, CEO of London Heritage Quarter, remarked, „The upcoming strikes are set to severely disrupt London in the coming days, with yet more strike action planned across May and June. The Tube is a lifeline for businesses across the capital, and frequent disruption puts serious pressure on staffing, customer access, and productivity. At a time when businesses are already navigating difficult conditions, London needs a reliable transport system. It is in everyone’s best interest to resolve this dispute for the benefit of all who rely on the network.“
Guide Dogs UK has also highlighted the challenges that disruptions pose for blind and partially sighted individuals, emphasizing that the Underground is a crucial and familiar network for them. Clive Wood, campaigns manager at Guide Dogs UK, stated, „The upcoming strike action across the Transport for London network is likely to create additional challenges for people with a vision impairment, as changes to usual routes and travel patterns make getting around more difficult. Tube closures can lead to increased traffic, busier pavements, and more crowded public spaces and buses. We also expect greater use of e-bikes and e-scooters, and as we saw last year, many of these were poorly parked and blocked pavements, posing risks for pedestrians with sight loss. For some, these factors may make journeys feel unpredictable or unsafe, and may lead people to avoid traveling altogether, limiting their independence. We’re asking commuters to remember that while trains may stop, the need for accessibility doesn’t. A small act like moving a hire bike or giving up a space can make a difference.“
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Julian Terenzio auf Unsplash
