Mayor of London admits bus driver rules 'not fit for purpose'
Sadiq Khan says regulations will be updated but stops short of backing a Bus Driver Bill of Rights
Trust 42Craft 55Hype 65How this was reported ▾
Single outlet, anonymous sources, and no direct document cited.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
No affected parties quoted, vague figures, and weak separation of fact/comment.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
Headline overstates Mayor's commitment; body lacks substance.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
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The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has admitted that regulations protecting bus drivers are 'not fit for purpose' and has ordered Transport for London (TfL) to review them. The admission follows reports of drivers working in extreme heat without adequate cooling in their cabs.
Khan made the comments to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after MyLondon reported on conditions faced by bus drivers during recent heatwaves. One driver claimed his pay was docked after refusing to drive a vehicle without proper air cooling.
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No commitment to Bus Driver Bill of Rights
Last month, the London Assembly unanimously passed a motion calling for a Bus Driver Bill of Rights to improve working conditions. City Hall has not yet responded to the motion.
On 31 July, Khan declined to support specific legislation for bus drivers. Instead, he suggested a broader Bill of Rights for all frontline workers in London and beyond. 'There should be a Bill of Rights generally for workers,' he said.
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“It is really important that we thank frontline workers like our bus drivers, but also recognise the challenges that they are facing in terms of being in a greenhouse, driving dozens of passengers, potentially suffering from fatigue.”
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
What happens next
Khan has instructed TfL to work closely with bus operators and the union Unite to update regulations. It is unclear when the review will be completed or what specific changes will be introduced.
TfL and the Mayor have previously stated that existing legislation already covers many of the demands made by drivers. A petition calling for guaranteed protections on temperature, fatigue and toilet access in TfL contracts has gathered support, though the exact number of signatories is not specified in recent reports.
Questions this report answers
+What did the Mayor of London say about bus driver regulations?
Sadiq Khan admitted current regulations are 'not fit for purpose' and has ordered Transport for London to review them with bus operators and unions. He did not commit to specific legislation for bus drivers.
+What is the London Assembly calling for?
The London Assembly passed a motion last month calling for a Bus Driver Bill of Rights to improve working conditions. City Hall has not yet responded to the motion.
+What has happened to bus drivers during recent heatwaves?
A bus driver reported having pay docked for refusing to drive a vehicle without proper air cooling during recent heatwaves. MyLondon has reported on drivers working in extreme heat without adequate cooling.
+What happens next for bus driver protections?
Transport for London will work with bus operators and the union Unite to update regulations. It is unclear when the review will be completed or what specific changes will be introduced.
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