Strikes by Tube drivers are now underway after talks failed to resolve a dispute over the working week, London Underground has said.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) began a walkout after midnight on Tuesday and will do so again on Thursday, threatening huge disruption to travel in the capital.
The Piccadilly and Circle lines will not be running and there will be no service between Baker Street and Aldgate on the Metropolitan line or between White City and Liverpool Street on the Central line.
TfL has warned the whole Tube network will be affected with many lines running a reduced service.
The industrial action is in response to issues including a new four-day week which the union has said its members do not agree with.
The drivers’ union Aslef has accepted the new arrangements.
Read MoreWhen are London Tube strikes taking place this week and which lines are affected?
Key Points
- When are the Tube strikes?
- Which Tube lines will be affected?
- Strikes will go ahead after talks failed to resolve dispute
- What has RMT said about the strikes?
- TfL: It's 'bitterly disappointing' that RMT strikes will continue
Severe delays and suspensions across the capital
07:14 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe worst-hit lines are:
- Circle & Waterloo & City: Fully suspended.
- District, Hammersmith & City, Northern, Victoria: Severe delays across the entire line.
- Bakerloo: Suspended between Harrow & Wealdstone and Queen's Park; minor delays elsewhere.
- Central: Suspended between Liverpool Street and White City; minor delays elsewhere.
- Metropolitan: Suspended between Baker Street and Aldgate; minor delays elsewhere.
- Piccadilly: Severe delays from Cockfosters to Arnos Grove; all other sections suspended.
- Jubilee: Minor delays on southbound and eastbound trains only.
How can passengers avoid disruption?
07:05 , Maroosha MuzaffarTransport for London (TfL) is advising passengers to plan their journeys in advance and check for the latest travel updates before setting off.
Travellers have been advised to use the TfL Go app, the online Journey Planner, or live service updates on the TfL website to find alternative routes and check which services are running.
RMT to walk out on Tuesday and Thursday
07:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarMembers of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are planning to walk out on Tuesday and Thursday, in a move which threatens huge travel disruption in the capital.
The strikes are in response to issues including a new four-day week which the union says its members oppose. The drivers’ union Aslef has accepted the new arrangements.
Claire Mann, Transport for London’s (TfL) chief operating officer has said: “We still believe that the points they have raised can be worked out in time, through more detailed discussions and we are continuing to talk to the union’s representatives to find a way to avoid disruption to London.”
TfL has advised passengers to check before they travel if the strikes go ahead.
Tube services begin on day hit by RMT union strike
06:53 , Maroosha MuzaffarLondon Underground strikes have begun as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union walked out from 12.01am on Tuesday and will continue striking until 11.59pm local time.
Tube services began later than usual – at 6.30am – and trains are also expected to finish earlier on strike days.
A second strike is scheduled for Thursday.
Transport for London (TfL) said it hopes to run at least half of its services, but significant disruption is expected.
There will be no service on the Circle and Piccadilly lines, no Metropolitan line trains between Baker Street and Aldgate, and no Central line services between White City and Liverpool Street.
Services are expected to operate on the Bakerloo, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Northern, Victoria, and Waterloo & City lines, although passengers should expect delays and reduced frequencies.
Is Eurostar affected by the strikes?
06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarEurostar services are not impacted by London Underground or UK rail strikes. However, disruptions can still occur due to industrial action by Eurotunnel employees or French rail workers.
Passengers have been advised to check the latest travel updates before their journey.
In pictures: Stacked tube trains at Upminster rail depot during April strikes
06:00 , Bryony Gooch
How to reach airports despite Tube strikes
05:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarFor Heathrow Airport, passengers can use the Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth Line, National Express buses, and TfL bus services, including overnight routes.
However, these alternatives are expected to be much busier than usual, so travellers are advised to allow extra time.
Access to Gatwick Airport is unaffected by Tube strikes. Train services may still operate but can be slower and more crowded, while National Express coaches provide a reliable alternative.
For London City airport, the DLR will continue running during the strikes and remains the primary transport link to the airport, alongside regular London bus services.
Recap: When are the Tube strikes?
05:00 , Bryony GoochTube strikes will take place on Tuesday 2 June, 0.01am to 11:59pm and on Thursday 4 June, 0.01am to 11:59pm.
On the Tuesday and Thursday, travellers can expect virtually no service before 6.30am, or after 9pm. There will be significant disruption in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Recap: Which Tube lines will be affected?
04:00 , Bryony GoochTfL says the strikes will affect the whole Tube network, but a reduced service will still run on most lines with significant disruption.
There will be no service on:
- Piccadilly and Circle lines
- Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate
- Central line between White City and Liverpool Street
Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days, but are likely to be very busy.
What train lines aren't part of the strike?
03:00 , Bryony GoochHere are the London underground lines not part of the strike:
- Bakerloo
- District
- Elizabeth
- Hammersmith and City
- Jubilee
- Northern
- Victoria
- Waterloo & City
Reduced service on Elizabeth Line
02:00 , Bryony GoochThe Elizabeth Line will be running a special service on Tuesday and Wednesday this week on top of Tube strikes.
After 10pm each evening, a reduced service operates between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4 / Maidenhead. Two trains an hour will serve Heathrow Terminal 4, West Drayton, Langley, Slough, Burnham and Maidenhead.
Four trains an hour will serve Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3.
Six trains an hour will serve Ealing Broadway, Southall and Hayes & Harlington. After 11pm, trains will not call at Acton Main Line, West Ealing and Hanwell.
What services outside the underground will be affected by Tube strikes
01:00 , Bryony GoochBuses, DLR, Elizabeth line, London Overground and trams will be running as normal but are expected to be busy as strikes affect the Metropolitan, Central, Circle and Piccadilly lines.
Pictures: Moments from April's Tube strikes
Tuesday 2 June 2026 00:00 , Bryony Gooch
Recap: ‘Tube strikes this week will cost us tens of thousands’: Frustrated businesses warn of huge hit to London economy
Monday 1 June 2026 23:00 , Bryony GoochAs Tube strikes are set to take place across the capital on Tuesday and Thursday, many cafes and restaurants won’t see their usual number of customers.
When strikes took place in April, restaurateurs and cafe owners told The Independent how the were feeling the pinch.
Businesses warn tube strikes will cost ‘tens of thousands’ in hit to London economy
Talks between RMT and TfL went on for five hours
Monday 1 June 2026 22:00 , Bryony GoochRMT and TfL spoke for five hours with Acas acting as a concilation service on Monday
Services are set to be disrupted as talks between both sides failed.
When are London Tube strikes taking place this week and which lines are affected?
Monday 1 June 2026 21:00 , Bryony Gooch
When are London Tube strikes taking place this week and which lines are affected?
Disruption expected across the London transport network
Monday 1 June 2026 20:00 , Bryony GoochDuring the strike action, no service is expected on the Circle line, Piccadilly line, the Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate, and the Central line between White City and Liverpool Street.
Service is expected across all other Tube lines on both days. However, there will be disruption to journeys and service levels will vary across the London Underground network.
On both days, there will be limited service before 6.30am and customers should complete their journeys by 9pm.
When will services return to normal?
Monday 1 June 2026 19:00 , Bryony GoochService is expected to return to normal on Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week.
TfL: It's 'bitterly disappointing' that RMT strikes will continue
Monday 1 June 2026 18:00 , Bryony GoochA TfL spokesperson said: “It is bitterly disappointing that despite five hours of meetings with the RMT at Acas and repeated assurances that the four-day working week proposals will remain voluntary, RMT has chosen to continue with its disruptive strike action.
“We will do all we can to provide as much service as possible during this action.”
RMT: TfL have failed to assure members concerns around fatigue
Monday 1 June 2026 17:30 , Bryony GoochAn RMT spokesperson said: “Despite our best efforts in Acas talks, TfL have failed to provide assurances on our members’ deeply held concerns around fatigue, reduced flexibility, shift lengths and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role like Tube driving.
“We remain available for meaningful talks, but strike action tomorrow will now go ahead.”
What is the dispute between RMT and TfL?
Monday 1 June 2026 17:00 , Bryony GoochThe strikes are in response to issues including a new four-day week which the union says its members oppose.
As part of a trial ongoing on the Bakerloo line, drivers can voluntarily work a four-day week where their working week is reduced from 36 hours to 35 hours.
Their contractual hours would remain the same because paid meal breaks would be introduced. Drivers would work longer days , but fewer days each week and fewer overall hours each week.
The drivers’ union Aslef has accepted the new arrangements.
The RMT union has said this working day would be too long, risking driver fatigue and compromising safety.
Instead, they have proposed a 32-hour week over four days, meaning drivers would work three fewer hours each week for the same salary.
What has RMT said about the strikes?
Monday 1 June 2026 16:44 , Bryony GoochThe Rail, Maritime and Transport union has maintained that there are serious concerns around proposals of a new four-day week, despite the drivers’ union Aslef accepting the new arrangements.
An RMT spokesperson said: “Our members have raised serious concerns around fatigue, longer shifts, reduced flexibility and the impact these proposals could have in a safety-critical role.”
A union source said Tube drivers had “very real” concerns about spending longer hours in the driver cab, becoming more fatigued, losing flexibility around their shifts and the impact that could have on a role where safety has to come first.”
Breaking: Strikes will go ahead after talks failed to resolve dispute
Monday 1 June 2026 16:33 , Bryony GoochStrikes by Tube drivers will go ahead after talks failed to resolve a dispute over the working week, London Underground has said.
Talks between RMT and TfL could halt the strikes
Monday 1 June 2026 16:28 , Bryony GoochTalks will be held on Monday in a last-ditch bid to avert two 24-hour strikes by London Underground drivers in a dispute over the working week.
Bosses from the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will meet with Transport for London (TfL) chiefs with conciliation service Acas involved.
Which Tube lines will be affected?
Monday 1 June 2026 16:26 , Bryony GoochTfL says the strikes will affect the whole Tube network, but a reduced service will still run on most lines with significant disruption.
There will be no service on:
- Piccadilly and Circle lines
- Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate
- Central line between White City and Liverpool Street
Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days, but are likely to be very busy.
When are the Tube strikes?
Monday 1 June 2026 16:26 , Bryony GoochTube strikes will take place on Tuesday 2 June, 0.01am to 11:59pm and on Thursday 4 June, 0.01am to 11:59pm.
On the Tuesday and Thursday, travellers can expect virtually no service before 6.30am, or after 9pm. There will be significant disruption in the morning, afternoon and evening.
