Tube strike talks collapse overnight as London braces for chaos

Commuters warned to plan ahead as union and TfL walk out of late-night negotiations without a deal.

Last-ditch talks between Transport for London and the RMT union ended without agreement just before 2am, setting the stage for one of the most disruptive walkouts the capital has seen in over a decade.

Union officials accused TfL of refusing to budge on pay and pension reforms, while City Hall insists the offer on the table is the most generous in five years. Either way, millions of Londoners now face three days of severely reduced services starting Tuesday morning.

What commuters need to know

Buses will run, but operators warn of capacity 'far below anything we've seen', with queues already forming at major interchanges before sunrise. Uber and Bolt have confirmed surge pricing will be capped, but only on the first day.

Mayor Sadiq Khan urged both sides to return to the table 'in good faith', warning that the longer the dispute drags on, the more it will cost businesses across the capital — particularly hospitality and retail venues still recovering from a sluggish spring.

Knock-on effects

Network Rail and South Western Railway have confirmed they will run additional services where possible, but Eurostar passengers should expect knock-on delays at St Pancras.