First, check your local transit app—but don’t trust it fully. It might say “on time” while the bus is actually in a ditch, eating donuts. Next, make friends with a cyclist. They smell like sweat and freedom, and they’ll give you a ride to the next stop if you promise not to talk about cryptocurrency.
If you’re stuck walking, pretend it’s a wellness challenge. Tell your boss you’re “commuting mindfully.” Wear a bicycle helmet for no reason. The confusion alone will buy you time. And if a bus does show up, board it like a celebrity entering a limo—wave regally at the strike picketers. They’ll understand.
Are buses on strike today? Is there a bus strike in London this weekend
Also, carry snacks. A granola bar can prevent a breakdown. I once saw a man eat a sandwich while waiting for a bus that wasn’t coming. He looked happy. He was lying to himself.
The Real Reason Buses Go Rogue
It’s not actually about the money. Well, it’s mostly about the money, but also about respect. Bus drivers have one of the most stressful jobs—they manage 60 people, traffic, and a gearbox from 1987. A study found they’re more likely to have a heart attack than a firefighter. So when they strike, they’re not just being difficult. They’re saying, “Hey, we’d like to not die at the wheel, please.”
That’s why I say, support the strike. Yes, it’s annoying. Yes, you’re late. But think of the alternative: a bus driver who hasn’t had a bathroom break in eight hours, driving through a school zone while humming “Stayin’ Alive.” That’s a horror movie I don’t want to see.
So today, check your local news for the official list. In London, it’s routes 23, 38, and 74. In Paris, it’s literally every line ending in “bis.” In Los Angeles, they’re “rethinking the schedule,” which is code for “your bus is now a mirage.”
