Christmas travel plans for thousands in West London have been thrown into chaos as more than 350 bus drivers, engineers, and stores workers walk out in a dispute over pay.
Strike Action Halts Key Bus Routes
The industrial action, organised by the Unite union, began on Monday 22nd December and is set to continue until the end of service on Christmas Eve. A total of seven bus routes are running with little or no service, severely impacting commuters and shoppers across Central and West London.
The affected services are the 13, 23, 31, N31, 218, 295, and 452. This follows earlier walkouts on December 12 and 15, after union members rejected a pay offer from their employer, London Transit, which is owned by First Bus London.
Union and Company at Loggerheads Over Pay
Unite Regional Officer Callum Rochford accused the company of trying to "short-change" its staff. "Workers won’t stand for this," he stated. "London Transit need to return to the negotiating table, do what’s right and end this dispute now."
Unite claims the proposed deal would have introduced a new, lower-paid starter grade for drivers. In response, a spokesperson for First Bus London told the BBC: "We have further talks tabled with Unite and we hope through meaningful discussions we can reach a resolution and end the ongoing disruption, which causes inconvenience for passengers and loss of earnings for our employees."
Passengers Face Festive Frustration
On the first day of the strike, passengers at stops in Shepherd’s Bush and along Goldhawk Road expressed their frustration. One woman boarding a bus said the reduction would "definitely will cause an impact," noting the limited number of services in the area.
Another passenger, Ouidad, who relies on the 295 to get home, was unaware her route was affected. She said the walkout would "100 per cent" impact people, adding: "It’s a hard time. It’s Christmas." She resolved to wait for her preferred bus or walk.
Kelly Augustine, aiming to catch the 218 to Hammersmith, found a silver lining, noting an alternative 306 service was available. However, she admitted the strikes were an "annoyance," especially when trying to get to work.
The disruption also concerns local healthcare. A spokesperson for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which manages Charing Cross Hospital – a stop on the reduced 295 route – urged patients, visitors, and staff to plan ahead and check for alternative services.
Transport for London (TfL) has advised all passengers to plan their journeys carefully during the festive period. The strike is scheduled to resume from 5am on December 31st until 5am on New Year's Day, potentially disrupting New Year's Eve celebrations.
While some passengers reported minimal impact, citing other available routes, TfL warns that other local services may be busier than usual as people seek alternatives to the seven suspended lines.
