Commuters and families in North East London are facing significant travel disruption next month after 350 bus drivers voted for fresh strike action.
Strike Dates and Key Routes Affected
The drivers, based at the Stagecoach-owned Lea Interchange garage, will walk out on four separate days in February. The industrial action is scheduled for Thursday 6 and Friday 7 February, and again on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 February.
This timing means the strikes will impact weekend travel and coincide with the school half-term holiday, affecting shopping trips, family outings, and hospital visits.
Major Disruption for Key Destinations
The drivers operate several crucial routes across East London. The planned walkouts will severely impact services including:
- Route 97: which serves the major shopping centre, Westfield Stratford City.
- Route 276: a vital link for patients and visitors to Newham Hospital.
The union Unite, which represents the drivers, has warned that the action will cause major disruption. Previous strikes in December and January brought services to a complete halt, with no buses leaving the Lea Interchange garage during the initial walkouts before Christmas.
Preparing for Further Travel Chaos
This new wave of strikes threatens to repeat the severe travel chaos witnessed at the end of last year. Passengers who rely on these bus services for essential journeys, including hospital appointments and work commutes, are being urged to plan alternative travel arrangements well in advance.
The dispute centres on unresolved issues between the drivers and their employer, Stagecoach. With no resolution in sight, the union has escalated its campaign, signalling a potentially prolonged period of instability for London's bus network in the affected areas.
