The Quick Take
– What’s happening? A rolling London Underground (RMT) strike is disrupting the Tube all week, with separate DLR walkouts on key days.
– How long will it run? The Tube action is set from Sunday 7 September through Thursday 11 September, with services recovering on Friday morning, 12 September. The DLR is additionally hit on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 September.
– Why are they striking? The dispute centres on pay and working conditions, including hours (RMT pushing for a shorter week) and rostering/fatigue concerns.
Who exactly is on strike this week?
London Underground (RMT)
Rolling action across different groups of staff has shut or severely curtailed most Tube lines on successive days. Expect no services before 08:00 and advice to finish travel by 18:00 on peak strike days.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
Targeted walkouts are planned on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 September, creating little-to-no service on those days.
What’s still running?
Elizabeth line, London Overground, trams and buses are operating but will be very crowded and may run altered timetables. National Rail services that share track or stations with LU can also be affected.
Why are the Tube and DLR workers striking?
The RMT dispute is over pay, working hours (including a push to reduce the week below 36 hours), rostering and safety/fatigue management. Negotiations with TfL are ongoing, and both sides have traded statements in recent days.
How long is the disruption expected to continue?
Tube: Disruption from Sun 7 Sept through Thu 11 Sept, with networks returning to normal from Friday morning, 12 Sept (allow for morning ramp-up).
DLR: Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 Sept are the main strike days.
Am I owed compensation?
1) Journeys entirely on the Tube or DLR (TfL-run)
No compensation for strike-caused delays. TfL’s Service Delay Refund excludes delays outside its control, which explicitly includes strikes.
If you travelled and were delayed for reasons within TfL’s control (e.g., a defective train not related to the strike), you can usually claim a single-fare refund (Tube/DLR: typically 15+ mins; Overground/Elizabeth line: 30+ mins) within 28 days — but strikes don’t qualify.
If you chose not to travel because the Tube/DLR was on strike, there’s no automatic refund for a pay-as-you-go or ordinary day ticket you simply didn’t use. Travelcards/Oyster refunds are limited and not strike-specific (they’re for things like illness or if you no longer need the product). Check TfL’s general refunds page if you think you have a qualifying reason.
2) Journeys on National Rail (non-TfL train companies)
Delay Repay usually applies even during strikes. If you attempted to travel and were delayed vs. the published (strike-day) timetable, most operators pay out under Delay Repay (percentages vary but commonly 25% for 15–29 mins, 50% for 30–59 mins, etc.). Claim directly with the train operator (avoid third-party fees).
If you didn’t travel because your train was cancelled or amended, you can usually get a full refund of an unused ticket from the retailer (no admin fee when the service is cancelled/changed).
Season tickets: If strikes cancelled your usual service, many operators allow a pro-rata Delay Repay for that day; policies vary — check the operator’s guidance.
3) Mixed journeys (e.g., National Rail + Tube)
You’ll need to claim separately:
– National Rail legs: Delay Repay via the relevant train operator.
– TfL legs: only if delay was within TfL’s control (not strikes).
Practical claiming checklist
- Took a National Rail service and it ran late? Submit a Delay Repay claim with the train operator (not the retailer app) using the strike-day timetable as the benchmark. Keep screenshots/receipts.
- Your National Rail train was cancelled and you didn’t travel? Ask the ticket retailer for a full refund of the unused ticket.
- Tube/DLR journey delayed due to the strike? No refund — TfL counts strike disruption as outside its control.
- Overground/Elizabeth line delays? If 30+ mins and within TfL’s control, you can claim (not for strike-caused disruption).
MoneyMagpie tips to minimise mayhem this week
- Travel early (after 08:00 start-ups) and aim to finish by 18:00 on strike days; services thin out and close earlier.
- Build in big buffers if you must connect to flights or long-distance trains; rebook to non-strike days if possible.
- Use alternative modes (walking routes, bikes, buses, Elizabeth line/Overground) and check live status before leaving.
- If you must travel by rail, keep screenshots of timetables and delays — they make claims easier.
What could change?
Talks are continuing; strikes can be called off or amended at short notice. Always verify on the morning of travel via TfL and (if applicable) your train operator.
My journey was a ticket involving national rail with tube in between two trains. Can I claim taxi fair from Euston to London bridge station?