Arriva London Bus Strike to Disrupt More Than 40 Routes From 25 August

More than 1,500 Arriva North London bus drivers are set to resume strike action from Tuesday, 25 August, with Transport for London warning that more than 40 routes could see little or no service.

The industrial action is scheduled to begin at 4am on Tuesday and continue until 4.30am on Friday, 28 August.

Drivers represented by Unite previously took strike action earlier this month in a dispute over working conditions during periods of extreme heat.

Further walkouts planned between 19 and 21 August were suspended while workers considered a new offer from Arriva North London. Unite confirmed on Sunday, 23 August that members had rejected the proposal and the strike action would therefore resume.

The union says most Arriva North London buses use air-cooling systems rather than full air conditioning. It claims those systems have reduced temperatures by only around two or three degrees during recent heatwaves, with temperatures inside some driver cabs reaching 40C or higher.

Unite says drivers have reported problems including heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration, while also raising concerns about the impact high temperatures can have on driver fatigue.

Arriva has previously said extreme heat is creating challenges across London’s bus network and that it has been investing in improvements to cooling systems and its vehicle fleet.

The dispute will affect drivers based at Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green garages.

TfL currently lists affected services including routes 19, 29, 34, 41, 66, 67, 76, 102, 103, 121, 141, 149, 150, 158, 175, 191, 192, 217, 221, 243, 248, 254, 259, 279, 307, 313, 329, 341, 349, 370, 375 and 377.

Several school, Superloop and night services are also affected, including SL1, SL2, W3, W4, W6, N19, N29, N41 and N279.

TfL is advising passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time, warning that other local bus, Tube and rail services may also be busier while the strike is taking place.

The disruption could also increase demand for taxis and private hire vehicles in affected parts of London as passengers look for alternative ways to travel.

Further Arriva North London strike dates are currently scheduled throughout September and October unless the dispute is resolved.

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