Bus drivers at Abellio garages plan to strike on ten days in November and December, with the first on Tuesday 22 November and the last day of action on Saturday 17 December.
This is expected to affect 60 routes, mainly in west and south London. Transport for London (TfL) is advising customers in the affected areas to check before they travel and leave more time for their journeys.
Bus routes operated by Abellio will be affected for periods of between one to three days in the coming weeks, totalling 10 days of planned strike action. Services will be affected from 05:00 on the first day of each period of strike action, through to around 06:00 the morning following the final day of a period of strike action. Night buses will run as normal into the morning of the start of a period of strike action.
A full list of affected routes, which comprises around 10 per cent of the bus network, is available on TfL’s webpage. A normal service is expected on London’s 483 other bus routes.
Louise Cheeseman, Director of Buses at TfL, said, “We apologise for any disruption caused to Londoners. There still will be options for people to travel in west and south London, but other routes may be busier than normal. We’re encouraging everyone in these areas to plan ahead, check before they travel and leave more time for their journeys. Our free TfL Go app and website are really easy ways to check your travel.”
TfL will ensure as many bus services as possible run in west and south London, but they will be busier than normal. If customers need to travel, they are advised to check before they do so and leave extra time for their journeys. To ensure these services run as smoothly as possible, TfL advises customers to have their cards at the ready to avoid delays and to make space for wheelchair users.
Where possible, customers should consider alternative transport such as London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line, Trams, National Rail services or walking and cycling, with Santander Cycles available. E-scooters can be hired in some London boroughs, including Lambeth and Southwark. Customers who need to use buses in the areas affected should also try to travel at quieter times as during the busiest times it may not be possible to board the first bus.
For more details on the industrial action and tools to plan their journey, passengers should go to: tfl.gov.uk/strikes
TfL is carrying out a comprehensive targeted communications campaign to ensure customers are aware of the strike and can prepare in advance. Customers on the routes affected are being contacted, bus stops served by affected buses will display information posters and announcements will be made in bus stations.
