The Arriva London North bus strike planned for Friday 16 October 2026 has been suspended, meaning the affected routes are now expected to operate normally. The industrial action had originally been scheduled from 04:00 on Friday 16 October until 04:30 on Saturday 17 October, with Transport for London warning that little or no service could operate on more than 40 routes across north, east and central London.
However, TfL's current strike information states that the planned Arriva London North action across September and October has been suspended and that bus services will operate as normal on the affected dates. Passengers searching for information about a London bus strike on 16 October should therefore not assume the previously advertised shutdown is still going ahead. Normal timetables are expected, although passengers should continue to check live TfL information before travelling in case of unrelated disruption.
London buses on Whitehall beside the Cenotaph, photographed on August 2026. Image: London Construction Magazine.
Full list of Arriva routes that had been due to strike
The following 43 routes had been listed by TfL as potentially affected by the Arriva London North industrial action. They include daytime, night and Superloop services.
| Route | Route | Route | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 377 |
| 616 | 675 | SL1 | SL2 |
| W3 | W4 | W6 | N19 |
| N29 | N41 | N279 | — |
Those routes had been expected to see severe disruption under the original strike plan. That warning has now been superseded by TfL's confirmation that the action has been suspended.
Why was the Arriva London North strike suspended?
The dispute involved Arriva London North drivers represented by Unite and centred on working conditions in hot weather, particularly temperatures inside driver cabs and the effectiveness of existing cooling systems. Unite confirmed in September that drivers had accepted a new agreement following negotiations with Arriva. The union said the deal included a commitment by Arriva and TfL to fit air conditioning to Arriva London North driver cabs by May 2027.
The agreement also introduced arrangements for buses with defective heating or cooling systems. Unite said drivers of affected diesel and hybrid buses would only be required to continue for up to 35 minutes before the vehicle is returned to its garage, while faults on electric vehicles are expected to be addressed without that waiting period. Unite said around 1,500 drivers based at Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green were involved in the dispute.
Will buses run normally on Friday 16 October?
TfL currently says yes. Its strike information states that services will operate normally on the dates on which the Arriva London North action had previously been planned. That includes the period that had originally been advertised from 04:00 on Friday 16 October to 04:30 on Saturday 17 October. The suspension also means passengers should not rely on older articles, social posts or cached travel warnings that continue to show 16–17 October as an active strike period. Those notices reflected the earlier industrial-action programme before the agreement was reached.
Night buses N19, N29, N41 and N279
Four night routes had been included in the original disruption list: N19, N29, N41 and N279. Under the earlier strike arrangements, TfL had said affected night services would operate normally on the night immediately before action began, with disruption then following during the strike window. Because the October action is now suspended, the strike-specific restriction no longer applies.
Superloop routes SL1 and SL2 were also on the list
The original Arriva disruption programme also included Superloop routes SL1 and SL2. Both had been among the services where TfL warned that little or no service might operate during industrial action. They are now expected to run to their normal planned timetables on 16 October, subject to ordinary traffic conditions and any unrelated operational disruption.
Other London transport disruption that weekend
Although the Arriva strike has been suspended, the following weekend still contains substantial planned rail and Underground engineering work. The Piccadilly line will be closed between Hammersmith and Heathrow or Uxbridge on 17–18 October, while London Victoria will have no Gatwick Express or Southern trains on Sunday 18 October. LCM's full London Tube and Train Closures guide covers the other planned changes affecting the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a London bus strike on Friday 16 October?
The planned Arriva London North strike has been suspended. TfL currently says bus services will operate normally on the affected dates.
The planned Arriva London North strike has been suspended. TfL currently says bus services will operate normally on the affected dates.
Which buses were going to be affected?
TfL had listed 43 routes operated by Arriva London North, including routes 19, 29, 149, 243, 279, SL1, SL2 and four night-bus services. The full list is shown above.
TfL had listed 43 routes operated by Arriva London North, including routes 19, 29, 149, 243, 279, SL1, SL2 and four night-bus services. The full list is shown above.
Could the strike still return later?
Unite said it retained its industrial-action mandate after the agreement so that it can respond if commitments are not met. No strike is currently scheduled for 16 October under TfL's latest information.
Unite said it retained its industrial-action mandate after the agreement so that it can respond if commitments are not met. No strike is currently scheduled for 16 October under TfL's latest information.
Check TfL before travelling
The latest TfL position is that the Arriva London North strike has been suspended and services should operate normally on Friday 16 October. Passengers should still check the TfL bus status page before setting out, particularly if travelling early in the morning or connecting with other disrupted transport services.
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