London bus strike: More than half of all services are running

Update: Transport for London is now reporting that more than half of its bus services are running as usual, despite the strike over pay. 

 

While it still noted there was “disruption” to services, and warned that passengers check before travelling, the impact appeared to be considerably less than last month, when Unite held similar action over the same issue. 

 

This morning TfL said 47 per cent of services were running, compared with 30 per cent last time. By lunchtime this had been updated to 51 per cent of all services. 

 

"Public transport passenger numbers remained at almost 90 per cent of normal levels this morning, meaning London kept moving and working," it said.

 

“It is very difficult to predict in advance the level of service that will operate today on London’s 700 specific bus routes, so customers are advised to check the TfL website regularly for updates,” the transport group said.

 

Mike Weston, TfL’s director of buses, said: “I am very sorry that the leadership of Unite is intent on disrupting the journeys of London’s 6.5 million daily bus passengers, especially given that only 16 per cent of bus drivers voted for strike action.

 

“Bus driver rates of pay have been negotiated and agreed between Unite and the bus companies individually under a long-standing and jointly agreed process.  This has regularly resulted in pay rises above the rate of inflation.”  

 

The 24-hour strike started at 4am this morning. 

 

Less than 16 per cent of the bus drivers in London voted in favour of industrial action.