Residents in Reading looking to travel to London are being offered extra support this week as Reading Buses puts additional vehicles on the road during significant industrial action on the London Underground.
The municipal bus operator is running supplemental services on the London Line 702 route on 21 April and 22 April 2026. This move comes as drivers belonging to the RMT union stage a 24-hour strike that began at midday on Tuesday, with a second walkout planned for 23-24 April. The company stated it has extra resources available to help commuters cope with the increased demand caused by the disruption to train services in the capital.
The strike action centers on a dispute regarding a proposed four-day working week for London Underground drivers. While the transport authority, Transport for London, maintains that the new working pattern would be voluntary and would not change the number of hours staff are contracted to work, the union remains in opposition. As a result of the walkout, passengers should expect no service on the Piccadilly and Circle lines, with major reductions across most other parts of the underground network.
The London Line 702 service provides a direct link from Reading station, passing through Windsor, Slough, and Hammersmith before terminating at the Green Line Coach Station near London Victoria. It serves as a key connection for those who rely on the underground network to reach their final destinations in London. Reading Buses, which is wholly owned by Reading Borough Council, has operated the route since December 2017 after taking over the service to ensure its continued availability for the community.
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