Transport across London is set to face major disruption as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) stage a five-day rolling strike on the London Underground from Sunday through Thursday.
On the first day, services will be limited and Transport for London (TfL) has advised passengers to complete their journeys by 18:00 BST. From Monday to Thursday, there will be little or no service across the Tube network as different groups of RMT members walk out on different days. The Tube is scheduled to open late on Friday 12 September at 08:00 BST.
The strike is centred on pay and working conditions. The RMT has cited concerns about fatigue management alongside demands for better pay. A separate dispute affects the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which will not operate on Tuesday and Thursday because of separate industrial action.
TfL has warned that, while the Elizabeth line and London Overground will continue to operate, these services are likely to be much busier than usual. Road congestion is also expected to increase as commuters seek alternatives to the Tube. TfL has published line-by-line information and travel advice on its website and urged passengers to check before they travel.
Commuters and visitors should expect significant changes to journey times and routing. Passengers making essential journeys are being encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra time, and consider alternatives such as buses, cycling, walking where practicable, or working from home where possible.
Union leaders say the action is necessary to secure better pay and protections for staff. The RMT has previously used rolling walkouts as a tactic to maintain pressure on employers while targeting specific parts of services on different days.
Transport operators and city officials have repeatedly warned that prolonged or repeated strike action can have wide economic and social effects, disrupting not only daily commuting but also supply chains and visitor access. Hospitality, retail and other sectors that rely on consistent footfall in central London are likely to see the impact of reduced passenger numbers and altered travel patterns across the strike period.
TfL and employers have not published any immediate countermeasures beyond advising travellers to check live service updates and to plan journeys in advance. Both sides face pressure to reach agreements that would restore full services; negotiations and any potential resolutions would determine whether further strikes are averted.
Passengers can find up-to-date information on affected lines, station openings and planned service levels on the TfL website and through official TfL social media channels. The situation will be monitored as the strike period begins and as any talks between the union and transport employers develop.