Commuters in London are bracing for significant travel disruption next week as two 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers are scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, and Thursday, June 4, 2026. The industrial action, organized by the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, follows a series of walkouts earlier this year, including a 48-hour strike in April. Previous planned strikes in March and May were called off at the last minute, but unless a last-minute resolution is reached between the RMT and Transport for London (TfL), the capital will face major delays and reduced services across the Tube network.
Strike Dates and Timing
The strikes will run from midnight to 11:59 PM on each of the two days. Services are expected to start late and finish early, with limited trains running before 6:30 AM and after 9 PM. Disruption may continue into the mornings of Wednesday, June 3, and Friday, June 5, as services gradually resume.
Why Are Tube Drivers Striking?
The RMT is protesting TfL's proposal to introduce a voluntary four-day working week, which would see drivers work longer but condensed hours. The union cites safety concerns, arguing that longer shifts could increase fatigue and compromise safety. TfL, however, insists the new schedule is voluntary and that no contractual hours would be reduced. Notably, the train drivers' union ASLEF has accepted the proposal, calling it a beneficial deal that offers members 35 extra days off per year.
Which Tube Lines Are Affected?
No service is expected on the Circle and Piccadilly lines. Partial closures will affect the Metropolitan Line (between Baker Street and Aldgate) and the Central Line (between White City and Liverpool Street). All other lines—including Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, District, Hammersmith & City, Victoria, and Waterloo & City—will run reduced services with fewer trains, leading to severe delays and overcrowding.
Economic Impact
The strikes are set to cost the London economy an estimated £130 million to £250 million per day in lost working hours, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The hospitality and retail sectors are particularly hard hit, with UKHospitality reporting potential sales losses of up to 40% for pubs and restaurants and 34% for cafes and coffee shops.
Alternative Travel Options
During the strikes, the London Overground (all lines), Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Elizabeth Line, buses, and trams will operate as usual, but are expected to be much busier than normal. Cycling has proven popular during previous strikes, with Lime Bikes and Forest reporting significant spikes in usage. Commuters are advised to plan journeys in advance using TfL's journey planner and aim to complete travel before 9 PM.
How to Reach Key Stations
- Paddington: Accessible via the Elizabeth Line, which will be running.
- Kings Cross St Pancras: Best reached via Thameslink services.
- Victoria: Served by multiple bus routes; check TfL live planner.
- Euston: A short walk from Kings Cross St Pancras (Thameslink) or Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth Line).
With no further strike dates announced by the RMT at this stage, these may be the last Tube strikes for some time, but commuters should remain vigilant and allow extra time for travel.
