More than 10 London bus routes are set to have ‘little or no service’ this weekend as drivers prepare to walk out before Christmas.
Hundreds of London bus drivers employed by Stagecoach at Lea Interchange Bus Garage in Leyton, east London, are striking this weekend over ‘bullying’ allegations.
Transport for London (TfL) said there is likely to be little or no service on 13 routes.
All other bus routes and Tube and rail services will run as normal, according to TfL.
But it warned that other local services may be busier than usual.
Which routes are affected by this weekend’s bus strikes?
The strikes will affect TfL routes in east and northeast London, reducing 12 to little or no service. These include:
- 58
- 97
- 135
- 276
- 236
- 308
- 339
- 488
- D8
- W13
- W14
- 678
Meanwhile there may be delays or cancellations on the number 86.
Why are Stagecoach bus drivers striking?
Stagecoach bus drivers will walk out from 3am on Friday, December 12 until 2.59am on Saturday, December 13.
They will then strike again from 3am on Saturday until 2.59am on Sunday, December 14.
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Further strikes are planned for Thursday, January 8, and Friday, January 9, 2026.
The 350 bus drivers, who are members of the trade union Unite, are taking industrial action over ‘union busting and bullying’.
Ninety-eight per cent of union members voted to strike.
Unite said its representatives at the Lea Interchange Bus Garage have been the target of ‘aggressive behaviour since a change in management a few months ago’.
The chair of the branch was suspended, dismissed and then reinstated, while another representative has been suspended on ‘trumped-up charges following an altercation with management’, according to the union.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Unite will never stand idly by when an employer uses union busting and bullying tactics.
‘Management at the depot must change tack or face disruptive action.
‘Unite members at the Lea Interchange Bus Company have the union’s full support.’
The union added that the strikes will impact the busy Christmas shopping period as the 97 bus route serves the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre.
John Murphy, Unite’s regional officer, said: ‘We understand that those who rely on these bus services will be concerned to hear of industrial action, but this dispute is entirely the fault of the employer for bullying hardworking members of its workforce.
‘The ballot result shows the strength of solidarity between bus drivers and their colleagues who have been affected by union busting.
‘Management still have a chance to stop this disruptive action, but it relies on them radically changing their behaviour towards our reps.’
The strike follows industrial action by bus drivers for London Transit, a subsidiary of First Bus, at Westbourne Park garage, who walked out over pay in west, northwest and southwest London.
It also comes after rail workers who are members of RMT began industrial action last week and it was announced that several London train stations would be closed over Christmas due to a £130million Network Rail spending spree.
Network Rail said the closures are going ahead to carry out ‘vital improvements and routine maintenance’ that ‘will give you a better and more reliable railway for the long term’.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: ‘It would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases, but we continue to refute Unite’s allegations of union busting or bullying.
‘We remain committed to treating all employees fairly and consistently, with any concerns handled under our established policies and procedures.
‘In recent weeks we have made extensive efforts to resolve this matter fairly.
‘It is disappointing that, despite our efforts, we have been unable to reach an agreement to avoid industrial action.
‘As a result, the strikes announced by Unite will go ahead.
‘We value our relationship with Unite and remain open to further dialogue.
‘Our priority is to provide a safe, reliable service for our customers, and we will work to minimise any disruption caused by the strikes.’
A TfL spokesperson said: ‘Strike action is expected to impact 13 bus routes, however, the vast majority of London’s bus network will still operate as planned on these days.
‘Some local bus routes in the east and northeast areas may be busier than normal.
‘We encourage customers who are affected to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel using our website or the TfL Go app.
‘We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute and we’re sorry for any disruption to people’s journeys.’
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