For those searching 'tube strikes today', Thursday 23 April 2026 marks Day 3 of the ongoing RMT industrial action, bringing significant changes to London Underground services. Tube lines across the network will run normally until midday today. However, from 12:00 midday, Wave 2 of the strike begins, leading to severe disruption and widespread closures that will continue until Friday 24 April at 11:59am. Passengers should prepare for heavily reduced services or complete line closures after noon.
London Tube Strike: Day 3 Overview
Today is the third day of a four-day RMT industrial action impacting the London Underground network. This particular wave of strike activity, designated as Wave 2, initiates at midday on Thursday 23 April 2026 and is scheduled to conclude at 11:59am on Friday 24 April 2026. Commuters planning journeys for Thursday afternoon and Friday morning must be aware of the widespread implications across the Tube network.
Thursday's Phased Shutdown: What to Expect
Travelers using the London Underground before midday on Thursday 23 April will find Tube services running normally across the network. This offers a window for essential travel before the strike's full impact. However, from mid-morning on Thursday, passengers should anticipate services beginning to reduce. This reduction occurs as drivers prepare to walk off shift, leading to a gradual winding down of operations.
A major shift will occur precisely at 12:00 midday on Thursday. From this point onwards, significant disruption is expected to take hold across the entire Tube network. This will manifest in a combination of complete line closures and severely curtailed services, making Tube travel highly challenging or impossible for many routes.
Specific Line Closures and Reduced Services
Several key London Underground lines will face complete closures or significant sections with no service from Thursday midday until Friday midday. The Piccadilly line and the Circle line will both experience no service during this entire strike window, impacting routes that are vital for navigating central London and connecting to Heathrow Airport via the Piccadilly line.
Further impacting commuter routes, the Metropolitan line will have no service between Baker Street and Aldgate during the Thursday-Friday strike window. Similarly, the Central line will see no service between White City and Liverpool Street, affecting a crucial east-west artery. For all other Tube lines not explicitly mentioned as fully closed or partially closed, a reduced and heavily crowded service is expected to operate from Thursday midday. Travelers on these lines should anticipate longer wait times and less frequent trains.
Friday Morning Travel Advice
The disruption extends into Friday 24 April. Most Tube lines will not commence running before 07:30. This late start will likely affect early morning commuters, even after the official end of Wave 2 at 11:59am, as services gradually resume normal operations.
Unaffected Transport Alternatives
While the Tube faces severe disruption, several other public transport options in London are operating normally throughout this strike period. The Elizabeth line, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), London Overground, and London Trams are all scheduled to run normally throughout the strike. These services can provide viable alternatives for parts of London, though they may experience increased passenger numbers due to the Tube's closures.
Additional Industrial Action and Disruptions
Beyond the Tube strike, travelers should be aware of other industrial actions affecting transport networks. On Thursday 23 April, there is additional disruption on the Windrush line. This is due to separate industrial action involving signallers and telecom staff, adding another layer of complexity to journey planning.
Furthermore, Stagecoach London bus routes 8, 25, 205, 425, N8, N25 and N205 will also be affected by their own strike action. This bus strike is scheduled to run from 05:00 Friday 24 April to 05:00 Saturday 25 April. Passengers relying on these specific bus routes during this timeframe should seek alternative travel arrangements.
The RMT's Stance: Why the Strike?
The RMT union has initiated this industrial action to oppose Transport for London's (TfL) plans to introduce a four-day working week for London Underground drivers. The union argues that this compressed schedule would force drivers into excessively long shifts, raising concerns about welfare and safety. This dispute over working conditions and shift patterns is the core reason behind the current strike.
Passenger Rights: Claiming Refunds for Delays
Passengers affected by the London Tube strikes may be eligible for refunds for significant delays. For those holding TfL Tube, DLR, London Overground, or Elizabeth line tickets, a Service Delay Refund can be claimed when a TfL-controlled delay exceeds 15 minutes. Importantly, strike-related delays caused by TfL staff are normally refundable. This provides a mechanism for passengers to recover some costs due to unforeseen disruptions.
National Rail passengers experiencing delays due to the strike can claim Delay Repay. This scheme offers 25 percent of a single fare for a 15-minute delay, 50 percent for a 30-minute delay, and 100 percent for a 60-minute delay. Claims for National Rail delays must be filed within 28 days of the incident. It is advisable for all passengers to retain their tickets or proof of travel to facilitate any refund claims.
Official Travel Advice
Transport for London has advised passengers to check the strikes page at tfl.gov.uk/campaign/strikes for live updates and to consider avoiding travel where possible during the strike window.
Given the significant disruption, TfL strongly recommends that passengers stay informed by checking their dedicated strikes page for the latest updates on service changes. For journeys that cannot be avoided, planning ahead and exploring alternative routes using unaffected services like the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, or London Trams is crucial. Allowing extra time for travel and being prepared for potential overcrowding on alternative routes is also advisable.