Bus passengers in London face major disruption today and tomorrow as Arriva drivers walk out in a dispute over working conditions during the summer heatwave. The strike, announced by the Unite union, began at 4am today and will run until 4:30am tomorrow, affecting 42 routes across the Transport for London (TfL) network, including night buses and Superloop services.
Routes affected by the strike
The affected garages are Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green. The full list of routes includes 19, 29, 34, 41, 66, 67, 76, 102, 121, 141, 149, 150, 158, 175, 191, 192, 217, 221, 243, 248, 254, 259, 279, 307, 313, 329, 341, 349, 370, 375, 377, 616, 675, SL1, SL2, W3, W4, W6, N19, N29, N41 and N279.
TfL has warned that 'little or no service' is expected on these routes, and that other local bus routes, Tube and rail services may be busier than usual.
Further strike dates announced
Additional strikes have been announced for August 18–21, August 25–28, September 4–5, September 7–8, September 18–19, September 21–22, October 2–3, October 5–6, October 16–17 and October 19–20. Some of these coincide with planned closures on the Piccadilly line, which will shut between August 18–20, August 25–27, September 18–20 and October 16–18 for upgrades.
Why are drivers striking?
The dispute centres on conditions inside buses, which have reached extreme temperatures during back-to-back heatwaves. Unite said some drivers have suffered heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration, with cab temperatures reaching 40 degrees. Arriva said it is investing in short and long-term measures, including cab upgrades and air conditioning.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has said drivers should not work in unsafe conditions. Speaking to LBC in June, he said: 'Let me speak directly to bus drivers – if your cabin is too hot, I’ve given TFL permission, and told the bus operators, you must not be driving that bus.'
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: '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.'
Arriva London managing director Wasim Mohammed told Metro: 'We take the welfare of our drivers seriously and understand the impact of this extreme weather on them. We are working closely with Transport for London to support both our colleagues and customers during these hot spells.'
A TfL spokesperson said the strike is expected to hit local bus routes in north and some central London areas, but the majority of the network will operate as planned. 'We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute and we’re sorry for any disruption to people’s journeys,' TfL added.
