Advice to bus passengers in event of strike on 13 Jan

08 January 2015

Transport for London (TfL) has today advised bus passengers to check the TfL website for the latest information about planned strike action by members of the Unite union, who work for London's bus companies, which could affect bus services on Tuesday 13 January.

The planned strike, the result of a dispute between Unite and the bus companies over driver pay and conditions, is planned to take place between 00:01 and 23:59 on Tuesday 13 January. This would affect services throughout Tuesday 13 January and also night bus services operating on the Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Bus services during the day on Wednesday 14 January should operate as normal.

Less than 16% of the bus drivers in London voted in favour of industrial action but, should the strike take place, services across London will be patchy with some areas affected more than others.

All of TfL's other public transport services will be operating as normal should the planned action by Unite go ahead.

TfL is calling for Unite and the bus companies to swiftly resolve the dispute so that passengers are not disrupted.

Leon Daniels, TfL's Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: `It is extremely disappointing that Unite has decided to threaten unnecessary disruption, especially given the low turnout for the ballot and low numbers voting for the strike. Bus drivers' pay and conditions are a matter for the bus companies and Unite to discuss, as it has been for 20 years, and we would urge them to seek a swift and fair resolution for the sake of our passengers`

If the strike takes place, services across London will be patchy and I urge customers to please check our website for the latest news. We'll be getting up-to-date information to customers as quickly as possible to ensure that they can continue to get around the city.'

Passengers will also be kept informed of the status of their services in a range of ways, including:

  • Up-to-date information on bus services by route can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/buses
  • Check for bus arrival times using the Countdown next bus arrival service online, on their mobile devices or via our SMS text service;
  • A range of easily available Apps for handheld devices use TfL's live bus information;
  • Travel alerts will be provided through Twitter on @TfL and @TfLBusAlerts - look out for #BusStrike;
  • TfL will also be providing information to radio and television broadcasts for use in news bulletins;
  • TfL will also have a number of additional staff across the network and at key locations to provide advice to passengers.

Notes to Editors
The bus companies likely to be affected by the bus strike are:

  • Abellio (Abellio London and Abellio West London)
  • Arriva (Arriva North and Arriva South)
  • CT Plus (Hackney Community Transport)
  • Go Ahead (Blue Triangle, Docklands, London General, London Central, Metrobus)
  • London Sovereign
  • London United
  • Metroline (Metroline and Metroline West)
  • Stagecoach (East London Bus & Coach Company, Selkent)
  • Tower Transit

The following ticket acceptance arrangements will apply:

  • Bus & Tram Pass season tickets will be accepted on London Underground, DLR and London Overground services via reasonable routes.
  • Bus & Tram Pass season tickets will not be accepted on National Rail, Emirates Airline or MBNA Thames Clipper services.
  • One Day Bus & Tram Passes will not be accepted on any alternative services and refunds will not be given.
  • Bus Savers will not be accepted on any alternative services.
  • 11-15 and 16+ Oyster photocards will be accepted on London Underground, DLR and London Overground via reasonable routes.
  • PAYG users will be charged the appropriate fare for the journey for the service(s) and zones used and these fares will not be refunde
  • Bus & Tram Pass season ticket holders and 11-15/16+ Oyster photocard holders wishing to travel on London Underground, DLR and London Overground should present their Oyster card to a member of staff. Where there is a valid Bus & Tram Pass or Zip Oyster photocard it will be accepted for travel. Customers should not touch in or out as they will be charged a PAYG fare, which will not be refunded.
  • There is no change for those under 11 wishing to travel on LU, DLR or London Overground services. They should either use a 5-10 Oyster photocard, be travelling with a fare-paying adult or buy a child rate ticket.