Strikes by London Underground drivers are set to go ahead next week, threatening to bring the capital’s transport network to a standstill and causing significant travel misery for millions of commuters.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union confirmed on Saturday that negotiations with Transport for London (TfL) have reached a deadlock, making industrial action “inevitable.”
The walkouts, scheduled for Tuesday 21 April and Thursday 23 April, come at a critical time for the city as it prepares to host the 2026 TCS London Marathon on Sunday 26 April.
With over 150 members of the Unite union also striking over bus station rosters and Stagecoach bus drivers escalating action in East London, the capital faces a “quadruple threat” of disruption across four working days.
Why are Tube drivers striking and what is the “Four-Day Week” dispute?
The core of the dispute lies in a fundamental disagreement over the implementation of a four-day working week.
While both sides theoretically support a shorter working week, the sticking point is the number of hours worked and the impact on safety.
TfL has proposed a 35-hour week spread over four days. They argue this is a “practical and affordable” model that aligns London Underground with other modern train operating companies.
According to Claire Mann, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, the proposal is voluntary and would maintain contractual hours by removing one paid lunch hour.
Planned strike action affecting London Underground ⚠️
Planned strikes by RMT Tube drivers will affect some Tube services on:
– Tuesday 21 to Wednesday 22 April
– Thursday 23 to Friday 24 April
Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, Trams and most bus routes will be running… pic.twitter.com/Ge33Coy8iN
— TfL (@TfL) April 14, 2026
However, the RMT, led by General Secretary Eddie Dempsey, has rejected this, demanding a 32-hour four-day week.
The union argues that TfL’s 35-hour model would result in shifts lasting nearly nine hours, leading to severe driver fatigue and compromising passenger safety.
Critics have also pointed to the ongoing tfl tube strike 2026 tensions regarding automation as a underlying factor in the breakdown of industrial relations.
“We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith, but they seem unwilling to make any concessions. The approach of TfL is not one which leads to industrial peace and will infuriate our members who want to see a negotiated settlement,” said Eddie Dempsey.
Which London Underground lines will be closed or disrupted?
The impact of the strike will be felt across the entire Greater London area, but specific lines and hubs will face near-total shutdowns.
Unlike previous strikes that began at midnight, these walkouts begin at 12:00 noon, meaning the morning commute may appear normal before chaos ensues during the evening peak.
Total Closures & Severe Disruption
- Piccadilly Line: No service expected for the duration of the 24-hour periods.
- Circle Line: No service expected.
- Metropolitan Line: No service between Baker Street and Aldgate.
- Central Line: No service between White City and Aldgate.
- Elizabeth Line: While not on strike, this route is expected to face extreme overcrowding as passengers seek alternatives to the Central and Metropolitan lines.
‼️UPDATED TRAVEL ADVICE‼️
👉Please check @nationalrailenq while urgent repairs to the overhead lines outside Manchester Piccadilly station continue⚡️
🙏Here’s a message from North West route director Chris Wright📰Or read our press release for more https://t.co/xE3mffBzpO pic.twitter.com/LtFW4V4woi
— Manchester Piccadilly (@NetworkRailMAN) April 17, 2026
Bus Network Disruption
In a “double whammy” for East London, Stagecoach drivers at the Bow bus garage are striking on Friday 24 April. This will affect vital routes including the 8, 25, 45, and 205, which serve the City and Westfield Stratford City.
Additionally, Unite members responsible for bus station safety and network traffic control will walk out from Thursday to Saturday, meaning bus stations may be unstaffed during the height of the Tube disruption.
What are the official responses from TfL and the Government?
The escalating crisis has drawn reactions from across the political and transport spectrum:
- Transport for London (TfL): “We have set out proposals for a four-day working week that improves reliability at no additional cost to the taxpayer,” stated Claire Mann. TfL maintains that the changes are voluntary and intended to modernise the network.
- Unite the Union: General Secretary Sharon Graham backed the bus workers, stating: “Unite will not allow for detrimental changes to our members’ conditions. These roster changes imposed by TfL are completely unacceptable.”
- Business Groups: UK Hospitality has warned that the strikes could hit the capital with a bill estimated at £210 million. Chair Katie Nicholls described the impact as “devastating” for hospitality businesses relying on mid-week footfall.
How will the strikes affect commuters and the London Marathon?
The timing of these strikes is particularly disruptive for several key groups:
- Midday Commuters: The 12:00 noon start time is designed to catch people off guard. Passengers who travel into the city in the morning may find themselves stranded or facing 2-hour waits for buses and Ubers to get home.
- London Marathon Participants: With over 50,000 runners and hundreds of thousands of spectators expected to arrive in London from Thursday onwards, the strike threatens to disrupt the delivery of event infrastructure and the arrival of international visitors at Heathrow (Piccadilly Line).
- The Economy: Mid-week strikes are particularly damaging to the “Tuesday-to-Thursday” office culture. Retail and leisure sectors in the West End and The City are bracing for a sharp drop in revenue.
What is the timeline for the industrial action?
Unless a last-minute breakthrough is reached at ACAS, the current schedule for industrial action is as follows:
- Tuesday 21 April: Tube strike begins at 12:00 (midday).
- Wednesday 22 April: Strike ends at 11:59; services recovering throughout the afternoon.
- Thursday 23 April: Second 24-hour Tube strike begins at 12:00. Unite bus controllers also begin action.
- Friday 24 April: Tube services recovering; Stagecoach bus strike begins at 05:00.
- Sunday 26 April: London Marathon (No strikes currently planned, but “knock-on” staffing shortages may occur).
Is there a risk of further strikes in 2026?
The RMT has already hinted that further action is “highly likely” in May and June if the deadlock over the 32-hour week is not resolved.
The union maintains that TfL is “imposing” changes rather than negotiating them, suggesting a long summer of discontent could be on the horizon for London’s transport network.
