Bus Users Say Strikes Had Impact in Run Up to Christmas

Journey times increased despite availability of alternative services

Kelly Augustine

December 23, 2025

Local bus users say reduced services are “definitely” having an impact in the run-up to Christmas as more than 350 drivers, engineers and stores workers go on strike.

A total of seven routes are running with little or no buses from Monday (December 22) until Christmas Eve due to a walkout by staff at London Transit. This follows previous strikes on December 12 and 15, launched after members of the trade union Unite rejected a pay offer from their employer First Bus.

The affected routes, namely 13, 23, 31, N31, 218, 295 and 452, mean passengers across swathes of Central and West London are being impacted. Announcing the strikes a couple of weeks ago, Unite Regional Officer Callum Rochford claimed London Transit was trying to “short-change” its employees with its recent pay offer.

“Workers won’t stand for this,” he said. “London Transit need to return to the negotiating table, do what’s right and end this dispute now.”

First Bus London, London Transit’s parent company, told the BBC: “We have further talks tabled with Unite and we hope through meaningful discussions we can reach a resolution and end the ongoing disruption, which causes inconvenience for passengers and loss of earnings for our employees.”

Unite said the proposed pay deal by First Bus London would have introduced a new, lower-paid starter grade for drivers.

As a result of the strikes Transport for London (TfL) has advised passengers to plan ahead when travelling over the Christmas period.

Speaking to people alighting at bus stops in Shepherd’s Bush and along Goldhawk Road on the first day of strike action, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) heard how, while alternative services were often available, it was expected that journeys would be impacted.

Asked whether she anticipated the action to affect passengers, one woman getting on a bus by Goldhawk Road said: “Most probably yes it will. Because there’s only two buses that go through here, and if one goes…it definitely will cause an impact.”

Ouidad, who did not give her surname, was awaiting a bus by Shepherd’s Bush Station. She said she had caught a 295 that morning though was unaware it was one of the routes affected by the strike action. She said the walkout would “100 per cent” impact people, adding: “It’s a hard time. It’s Christmas.”

She said she will wait to see which other buses come by the stop, “but for me the 295 is the best bus to get to my home”.

“I will wait,” she added. “Otherwise I will go and walk.”

Kelly Augustine, waiting at a stop just off Goldhawk Road, said she was looking to catch the 218 down to Hammersmith. When told the service was among those impacted, she said: “Luckily it’s not too far…[with the] 306 there’s another bus with that journey.”

Ms Augustine added the strikes had affected her on previous dates, in particular when she had to go to work. “It is an annoyance but what can you do? Especially if I have to work.”

Another woman, who did not want to give her name, was less concerned about the action.

“I haven’t felt any impact yet,” she said. “The bus that everyone is upset about is the 283, because that’s gone and the number 72 has taken over most of that route.”

The 283, which connected Hammersmith and East Acton, was removed by TfL earlier this month despite concerns about the impact on those travelling to and from Hammersmith Hospital. On the reduced 295 service, the woman said it is “not a big deal”, adding: “I think a lot of people will be out of town anyway.”

Bus on Goldhawk Road

One of the stops for the 295 is Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith. While other routes also are available for passengers heading to the hospital, a spokesperson for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust which manages the site said: “This will affect a number of bus services in West London, including one of the routes that stops outside Charing Cross Hospital. We urge patients, visitors and staff who rely on bus services to get to the hospital to plan ahead and check their route before travelling, in case they need to use an alternative service or leave extra time for the journey.”

According to the TfL website the seven routes are to be affected until “end of service” on December 24, and again from 5am on December 31 until 5am on January 1.

“All other bus routes and Tube and rail services will run as normal,” the website states. “Other local services may be busier than usual.”

Ben Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter