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Some services operated by RATP Dev London in parts of west, south west and north west London may be disrupted from 22-24 February if strike goes ahead

Transport for London (TfL) has issued travel advice to bus customers in parts of west, south west and north west London ahead of potential industrial action on a number of routes operated by RATP Dev London early next week.

The Government's message remains for everyone to stay at home wherever possible and only travel for legally permitted reasons, and TfL has been continuing to run services for those who need to them throughout the pandemic. If the proposed action goes ahead it will only affect a small proportion of the capital's buses, with 59 day routes, six 24-hour routes, six night routes and nine school routes - predominately in south west London - expected to be affected. TfL will ensure as many bus services run as possible but customers in west, south west and north west London and parts of Surrey and Hertfordshire are advised to check before they travel from Monday 22 February. Normal services are expected to resume from 06:00 on Thursday 25 February.

All other London buses will operate as usual. To ensure any potential disruption is kept to a minimum, customers who must travel on the potentially affected days are advised to check before they travel, leave extra time for their journey, and where possible, consider alternative transport. Real time service updates will be available on the TfL website TfL Go app, with information on quiet times on the network also available on the website.

TfL is contacting all registered Oyster card users of the affected routes to advise of the potential disruption and encourage them to check before travelling. Countdown signs will also warn of potential disruption. Those who plan to make shorter journeys on these dates are encouraged to walk or cycle, and Santander cycle hire services are available at Putney and Hammersmith for journeys into central London.

Claire Mann, Director of Bus Operations at TfL, said: "We're sorry that some of our customers may experience disruption to their journeys early next week. We're doing all we can to minimise this, but customers should check before they travel and leave more time for their journeys, while remembering the Government's advice to continue to stay at home if they can. We urge all parties to sit down and talk through the issues to try and resolve them as soon as possible."

London Underground, London Overground and London Trams services in the area will operate as normal. Customers travelling to hospitals should use alternative nearby Tube and Rail stations.

Additional info

• RATP Dev London oversees London United, Quality Line and London Sovereign. Unite members at London United, which operates services mainly in White City, Shepherds Bush, Acton, Heathrow, Hounslow, Kingston, Richmond, Surbiton, Wimbledon and Sutton striking for three days, lasting from 00:01 on Monday 22 February through to 23:59 on Wednesday 24 February. Drivers at Quality Line, which operates services in similar areas to London United, will strike on the Monday and Tuesday, while Drivers at London Sovereign, which covers many routes in Harrow, Edgware and Wembley, will strike on the Monday only..
• The London United routes, which will be affected between Monday 22 and Wednesday 24 February are: 18, 33, 65, 70, 71, 72, 85, 94, 110, 111, 116, 148, 203, 216, 220, 223, 224, 265, 266, 281, 283, 371, 406, 411, 418, 419, 423, 440, 613, 662, 665, 671, 681, 696, 697, 465, N18, N33, N65, N72, N266, C1, H22, H32, H37, H98, K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5
• The Quality Line routes, which will be affected on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 February are: 293, 404, 413, 463, 467, 470, 633, S1, S3
• The London Sovereign routes, which we be affected on Monday 22 February only are: 79, 142, 183, 251, 258, 288, 303, 326, 395, 398, 642, N5, H9, H10, H11, H12, H14, H17, H18 and H19
• Live travel information is available at https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
• The TfL Go app, available on iPhone and Android devices, provides real time train times in a mobile-friendly way and information to enable travel at quieter times outside peak hours to help customers maintain social distancing. The iPhone version of the app also provides live 'nearby bus' information also offers alternative routes and walking and cycling options.
• Cycle route maps can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/cycle?intcmp=40402
• Walking times between Rail and Tube stations can be found here: tfl.gov.uk/walking.
• Bus and Tram passes are valid on all London buses and Pay as you Go will enable customers to use alternatives journeys. Customers can also take advantage of the Hopper fare, which allows unlimited journeys within the hour for the price of a single fare.
• Face coverings, which cover the nose and mouth, must continue to be worn for the duration of the journey, unless an exemption applies. TfL is taking tough action against those who do not comply and issuing fines, with more than 2,100 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) having already been given out.

Capacity limits are in place on buses in order to maintain social distancing. Double-decker buses are limited to 30 passengers, while single-deckers can carry up to either 11 or 14 passengers, depending on bus size. Customers are asked to not exceed one person per double seat on buses, unless travelling in a family group. Windows should also be kept open, even in the cold weather, to keep air circulating within the bus