Bus Driver Claims Pay Docked Over Faulty Air Conditioning

A London bus driver has claimed his wages were reduced after he refused to operate a bus with malfunctioning air conditioning. The driver, who has not revealed his name due to concerns about his employer, Transport UK, stated that his pay was docked on July 29, 2026. This occurred when outside temperatures reached 34C, and he took over a shift in a bus with no working air conditioning.

Driver's Account of Shift

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The driver, referred to as John by MyLondon, told the publication that he discovered the air conditioning defect when he took over his second bus of the day at 11:30 am. The previous driver indicated the issue, and John confirmed the lack of cooling within minutes of starting his route. He reported the problem to the controller.

According to John, he was offered the choice to continue the route with regular breaks or return the bus to the depot to find an alternative vehicle. He chose to return the bus. Upon arrival at the depot, he was informed no replacement bus was immediately available and was asked to wait. It was at this point, John claims, that an operations manager informed him he had been removed from duty for refusing to drive the bus, meaning he would not be paid for the final 90 minutes of his shift.

John stated he told the manager that his refusal was based on safety concerns for himself, his passengers, and the public. He referenced assurances from the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, and Transport for London commissioner Andy Lord, who had stated that drivers were not obligated to operate faulty buses when they felt it posed a risk. John claims the manager responded by stating that Transport UK's policy considered the bus fit for service if the small fan in the cab was functioning.

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Broader Context and Policies

In June 2026, Sir Sadiq Khan stated that bus drivers would not face penalties for refusing to work if their cabs were excessively hot. Transport UK has been contacted for comment regarding these allegations, but no response was included in the report. Earlier in July 2026, City Hall unanimously supported a motion advocating for a bus driver ‘Bill of Rights’ to be incorporated into operator contracts.

Despite these assurances from City Hall and TfL, some drivers report that bus operators can disregard their safety concerns without consequence. The report from MyLondon indicates that Transport UK has been approached for comment on the incident.