London bus drivers have reported that sweltering conditions inside their cabs during the ongoing heatwave are compromising safety for both drivers and passengers. Drivers describe struggling to concentrate on the road and see properly due to sweat dripping into their eyes, with cab temperatures reaching up to 42°C even when outside temperatures are 35°C.
Drivers describe dangerous conditions
One driver told the Standard that on Wednesday, when London recorded temperatures over 35°C, the inside of his cab was 42°C. 'You're trying to hold onto the steering wheel, but your hands are sweating, you're losing control and you've got sweat dripping over your eyes and you're just feeling dizzy, you can't concentrate on the road. You see the traffic lights just glaring. You just gotta stop sometimes and be like, "woah is this even safe?"'
Another driver said he 'struggled to actually see' as sweat flowed into his eyes. Drivers have faced scorching temperatures all week, with London recording a record 36°C on Friday.
Pressure to keep working despite risks
Transport for London (TfL) insists that if a bus driver feels temperatures make it unsafe to drive, it is appropriate for them to stop, and there is a protocol to contact the controller and report it. However, drivers say they feel pressure to keep working. 'You can't call it a day, because then you'll get called into the office and they'll question you, why? Why did you stop the bus? You're just losing mileage, you're losing money for the company. We're not giving the service out to the passengers,' one driver said.
Air conditioning issues and union concerns
Drivers expressed concern that some buses, including newer models, remain in service despite broken air conditioning, while others are only equipped with less effective air cooling systems. They claim bosses allow these buses to operate in the early morning when air conditioning is less essential, promising a swap later in the day, but in reality they remain in service.
The Unite Union has been pushing for improved conditions, noting temperatures inside driver cabs often exceed 40°C due to a greenhouse effect from glass windows. High temperatures significantly worsen driver fatigue, putting everyone at risk. The union also revealed that many drivers avoid drinking water due to lack of proper toilet access, leading to dehydration.
Mayor and TfL respond
Pressure has been mounting on London Mayor Sadiq Khan and TfL to act. A spokesperson for the Mayor said: 'The Mayor and TfL take London's bus drivers' safety and welfare very seriously. The Mayor recognises the vital role of London's hard-working bus drivers to keep the capital moving around the clock, and he is committed to continually improving working conditions.'
The spokesperson added that the Mayor is in close contact with TfL during the heatwave and has asked that they work with bus operators to put in place more support for drivers. 'All driver cabs are fitted with air cooling systems and checks on these are taking place. If air cooling systems on a vehicle are not functioning and drivers do not feel they can carry out their duties safely, they should contact the controller and stop driving, with no risk of any penalties.'
TfL's Director of Buses, Lorna Murphy, said: 'Alongside bus operators, we take our bus drivers' safety and welfare seriously and contracts rightly require operators to meet high standards. Bus drivers play an essential role in keeping the capital moving and we are working together on a range of measures to improve working conditions, health and wellbeing.' She added that any reports from drivers are always fully investigated and operators should never take action against people raising concerns about welfare.
