Bus Strike London: Over 50 Routes Hit as Thousands of Drivers Walk Out
Travel disruption looms again in the capital, with a major bus strike in London set to affect more than 50 routes across the city.
Around 2,000 drivers from London United, a subsidiary of First Bus, will down tools in protest, with Unite union confirming strike action from 5am Friday 29 August until 5am Saturday 30 August. A second wave is planned from 5am Monday, 1 September until 5am Tuesday, 2 September.
The dispute is fuelled by concerns over working conditions. Union leaders argue that drivers are exposed to unacceptable levels of abuse and are routinely denied access to basic facilities such as toilets and proper rest breaks.
The demands go further. Unite claims that relentless shift patterns, combined with the “stressful” nature of the role, are driving up cases of physical and mental health issues among drivers.
TfL Calls for Resolution
Lorna Murphy, Transport for London director of buses, stressed the need for compromise: “We urge Unite and First Bus to work together to find a solution to this dispute.
If this action goes ahead, there will still be travel options for people in west, northwest and southwest London and other parts of the capital.”
She added: “We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute and we’re sorry for any disruption to people’s journeys.”
Reminder: Bus strikes info ⚠️
Planned strike action is to impact some buses in west, northwest and southwest London on Friday 29 August and Monday 1 September.
Plan ahead, leave extra time for your journey and check before you travel. Where possible, use Tube and rail…
— TfL (@TfL) August 28, 2025
The strikes will heavily affect services in west, northwest and southwest London. Passengers are being urged to plan ahead, leave extra time for journeys, and switch to rail or Tube services where possible.
For some, it could mean crowded platforms. For others, longer commutes or missed connections. The ripple effect is expected to be felt across the city.
Which Bus Routes Are Hit?
The following routes face disruption:
13, 18, 23, 31, 33, 49, 65, 70, 71, 72, 85, 94, 105, 110, 116, 117, 148, 203, 216, 218, 220, 224, 235, 272, 281, 283, 290, 293, 295, 371, 406, 411, 418, 419, 423, 440, 452, 467, 613, 662, 665, 681, 696, C1, E3, H22, H37, H98, K1, K2, K3, K4, K5
Night routes also affected: N18, N31, N33, N65, N72.
With nearly 7,500 drivers across the network involved in the wider dispute, this isn’t just a local inconvenience – it’s a capital-wide problem.
The industrial action adds to a turbulent summer for London transport, where rail walkouts, tube strikes, and now bus driver unrest have combined to test commuters’ patience.
A bus strike in London is happening, and west Londoners in particular will feel the pinch. Whether this stand-off ends quickly will depend on talks between Unite and First Bus – but for now, passengers are being told to brace for delays.
