Overview
- London Underground services faced widespread suspensions Friday morning, with only limited trains expected from about 7:30am and severe disruption likely until the walkout ends at noon and into the evening.
- The dispute centers on TfL’s plan to compress drivers’ hours into four longer shifts, which TfL says would be voluntary with no pay or contractual‑hour cuts, while the RMT wants a 32‑hour four‑day week and written guarantees on current rosters.
- The Piccadilly and Circle lines are among those with no service during strike hours, and sections of the Central and Metropolitan lines are shut, while the Elizabeth line, London Overground and DLR run but are far busier than usual.
- Seven Stagecoach bus routes face a separate strike from 5am Friday to 5am Saturday, which could remove a fallback option for some riders who might otherwise switch from the Tube.
- Further 24‑hour walkouts are scheduled across May and June if talks fail, and business groups cite heavy hits to pubs and restaurants, with outside analysis putting the potential direct cost to London between £360m and £760m if action continues.