London bus drivers report 43C cabs and pay cuts for refusing unsafe buses

London bus drivers are reporting cab temperatures of 43C, three-hour stretches without toilet access, and pay deductions for refusing to operate buses without air-conditioning. MyLondon has launched a campaign, ‘Back Our Bus Drivers’, to push for five specific rights to be written into Transport for London (TfL) contracts with bus operators.

On 29 July, a driver had pay docked after refusing to drive a bus with no air-conditioning when outdoor temperatures reached 34C. This contradicts recent statements from Mayor Sadiq Khan and TfL commissioner Andy Lord, who said drivers would not be penalised for such refusals, as reported by MyLondon.

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Conditions drivers describe

Drivers told MyLondon that faulty air-conditioning units leave cabs at 43C, and that they can go three hours without access to a toilet. Some report only ten hours off between shifts, leading to severe fatigue. Drivers say these conditions put their safety, and that of passengers and other road users, at risk.

Many drivers believe their complaints about working conditions are ignored. They say bus companies, the Mayor, and TfL prioritise providing a reliable service as cheaply as possible over driver safety, as reported by MyLondon.

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Campaign demands and TfL response

MyLondon’s campaign calls for five rights to be enshrined in TfL contracts with bus operators. These include access to clean, serviced toilets and rest facilities on all routes, working air cooling in summer and heating in winter, and protection from retribution for reporting safety concerns.

The campaign also demands the right to a safe work schedule without forced overtime or loss of pay, and a proper rest break during the working day. MyLondon says action should be taken once contracts are awarded to ensure these conditions are maintained.

“London's bus drivers help us commute each day, take children to and from school and make sure our grandparents can get to the shops. They are there for all of us. In return they are asking to be allowed to do their job safely and comfortably. That shouldn't be a question they ever need to ask.”

Chris Ballinger, MyLondon Executive Editor

TfL’s director of buses Lorna Murphy told ITV that a proposed ‘Bill of Rights’ for drivers would not make a difference. She said the issues are already covered by employment rules. MyLondon’s investigation suggests otherwise, with drivers reporting ongoing problems despite existing policies.

What happens next

MyLondon is urging TfL to include the five rights in its contracts with bus operators. The campaign is also inviting bus drivers to share their experiences by emailing luke.donnelly@reachplc.com or kumail.jaffer@reachplc.com. No formal response from TfL or the Mayor’s office to the campaign’s demands has been reported yet.