Transport for London said it is expecting major disruption next week as bus drivers go on strike.

Nearly 2,000 bus drivers are due to go on strike between February 22 and 24 over the wage cuts of £2,500 per driver.

The striking drivers are employed by three bus companies owned by French multinational RATP Group. They operate routes in south, west and north-west London under contracts with TfL.

Some drivers say they have been offered a pay rise of 7p, which they don't consider to be enough.

TfL said there are 59 day routes, six 24-hour routes, six night routes and nine school routes - predominately in south west London – expected to be affected.

This Is Local London: Nearly 2,000 bus drivers are due to go on strikeNearly 2,000 bus drivers are due to go on strike

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.”

Unite has said the dates only cover the initial strike action but they will announce fresh strike action if the dispute is not resolved.

Unite regional officer for RATP, Michelle Braveboy, said: “RATP is guilty of using the cover of the pandemic to force through attacks on terms and conditions and table pitiful pay offers.

“RATP has a long history of attacking one group of workers at a time, attempting to slash pay and conditions, before moving onto the next group. Our members are drawing a line in the sand with this dispute.

“Workers are taking industrial action as a last resort as the company has refused to listen to reason and continue with the negotiations.

“They understand that bus strikes will cause huge disruption to the general public but believe they have no choice but to defend terms and conditions and ensure a fair pay offer.

“Bus strikes can still be averted if RATP removes its threats to cut terms and conditions at London United and make fair pay offers at Quality Line and London Sovereign.”

What routes will be disrupted?

The London United routes which will be affected between Monday February 22 and Wednesday February 24 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 are: 293, 404, 413, 463, 467, 470, 633, S1, S3

The London Sovereign routes which will be affected are: 79, 142, 183, 251, 258, 288, 303, 326, 395, 398, 642, N5, H9, H10, H11, H12, H14, H17, H18 and H19

The transport body has advised all passengers to check the status of their bus journey before they travel from Monday 22 February.

RATP was approached for comment but could not respond in time.