Bee Network bus drivers in Greater Manchester have reported visiting A&E after working in extremely hot vehicles, with some buses reaching temperatures of up to 40C inside on warm days.
Drivers have spoken of 'growing anger' over the lack of working air conditioning on some vehicles, with sources telling the Manchester Evening News of drivers 'fainting' and 'throwing up' after long shifts. One driver, speaking anonymously, said: "There have been quite a lot of drivers fainting and passing out because of the heat, people going to A&E, it’s putting the public in danger because a driver could end up in an accident while on shift."
Drivers push themselves to the limit
The driver added: "We're getting nothing, and drivers are pushing themselves to the very limit out of fear of being marked as a trouble-causer by stopping working. Quite a lot of people have ended up feeling sick, there have been drivers having to stop the bus and throwing up at the side of the road in front of passengers."
Shifts can last as long as five and a half hours, with buses feeling 'like a sauna' on summer days. The problem has been particularly bad this summer, with temperatures in Greater Manchester regularly exceeding 30C.
Risk of losing concentration
Drivers also raised concerns about losing concentration while on the road due to the heat. The source said: "If you take a wrong turn on a double decker bus then that can be really dangerous. We’re dreading going into work because of this, and checking the weather before every shift. There’s a lot of anger growing."
Drivers were seen at Piccadilly Gardens bus station this week using mini fans in their cabins to try to keep cool in 34C heat, which can feel much hotter on board buses. Other issues have been reported at depots, with one driver claiming the air conditioning in the Stagecoach depot in Stockport has been 'broken for months' while managers' offices have functioning AC, causing 'frustration' between drivers and management.
Operators respond
Greater Manchester's yellow Bee Network buses are owned by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) but operated by different bus companies. Nick Fairclough, TfGM's interim deputy network director of bus, said: "We take the welfare of our staff incredibly seriously. We are concerned by the issues reported by these drivers, and we're raising them with the relevant bus operators as a matter of urgency."
A Stagecoach spokesperson said: "The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers is our highest priority, especially during the recent, unprecedented hot weather. Stagecoach has clear guidance and procedures in place to support colleagues during periods of hot weather, including access to drinking water and regular opportunities to take breaks."
The issue with air conditioning particularly affects older vehicles, while newer electric buses have better cooling systems. The Bee Network aims to have a fully electric fleet by 2030, meaning many more summers of drivers working on buses that get extremely hot could be ahead. Drivers are able to raise concerns with managers, and bus operators are responsible for ensuring support is in place.
