London Bus Drivers Begin Weekend Strike on 13 Routes
A weekend strike by London bus drivers is disrupting specific local routes, affecting passengers who rely on those services for work, care, and essential travel.
London bus drivers have begun a weekend strike that is interrupting services on 13 bus routes, primarily in parts of east and north-east London.
The action applies on Saturday and Sunday and affects routes operated by a single contractor under Transport for London (TfL) oversight. TfL has confirmed that other bus routes continue to run, but services on the listed routes may be severely reduced or suspended.
The development matters because London’s bus network is a core part of daily transport for millions, particularly in areas with fewer Tube or rail alternatives.
Weekend strikes can have outsized effects on retail workers, healthcare staff, and passengers attending pre-booked appointments.
The action also highlights ongoing pressure points in London’s contracted bus system, where pay, scheduling, and retention have become recurring public issues.
Which Bus Routes Are Affected
Transport for London says 13 bus routes are expected to be disrupted during the weekend strike. The affected services are:
58, 86, 97, 135, 236, 276, 308, 339, 488, D8, W13, W14 and 678.
The routes mainly serve east and north-east London, including areas such as Stratford, Walthamstow, Hackney and the Isle of Dogs, where bus services play a central role in daily travel.
Because the strike involves drivers at a single operator, disruption is limited to these routes rather than the entire bus network.
TfL is advising passengers to allow extra time and consider alternative bus services, rail connections or walking where possible.
Why Drivers Are Taking Strike Action
The strike follows an unresolved dispute between drivers and their employer over employment terms.
While TfL sets fares and service standards, bus drivers are employed by private operators, meaning pay negotiations take place at company level rather than across London.
Such disputes are not uncommon in the capital’s bus network, particularly during periods of high inflation and staff shortages.
Similar disagreements in recent years have led to short, route-specific stoppages rather than city-wide shutdowns.
What TfL Says About Travel During The Strike
TfL has said it will keep its journey planner and service updates under review throughout the weekend.
Passengers are advised to check routes before travelling and to expect gaps in service rather than uniform cancellations.
The transport authority has emphasised that the Underground, Elizabeth line, and most other bus services are operating normally.
Accessibility support remains available for passengers who need assistance, though journeys may take longer.
How Weekend Bus Strikes Disrupt Travel Beyond The Affected Routes
Buses carry a significant share of daily journeys across both inner and outer London, particularly for lower-income residents, shift workers and passengers travelling in areas with limited rail alternatives.
Even short, route-specific weekend strikes can disrupt access to work, healthcare appointments and local high streets, where reduced mobility often translates into lower footfall for shops and hospitality businesses.
At a policy level, repeated industrial disputes highlight ongoing tension within London’s publicly funded transport system.
TfL must balance tight budget constraints with the need to retain and recruit drivers in a competitive labour market. How those pressures are managed continues to influence service reliability, workforce stability and long-term transport planning across the capital.
The current weekend strike affects 13 routes in parts of east and north-east London, underscoring how localised disputes can still produce wider public consequences.
TfL is advising passengers to plan ahead and use alternative services where possible, while any further disruption will depend on whether negotiations between drivers and the operator progress after the weekend.
