London's bus drivers need better protection from summer heatwave temperatures, says the trade union Unite.
With soaring heat now a fixture of the capital's summers, the temperature inside driver cabs can often exceed 40 degrees, which Unite says can heavily impact driver health and wellbeing, and exacerbate the 'already dangerous' problem of bus driver fatigue. This in turn prompts slower response times, a lack of concentration, dizziness and even fainting at the wheel.
Said one anonymous driver: "In the hot weather, the cabs can get unbearably hot and stuffy. It is not good for our alertness and health, as well as our customers who are suffering as well."
Unite — which recently launched a Fight Fatigue Now campaign — says drivers have also complained that some buses, including newer models, remain in service despite broken air-conditioning, while older models have ineffective air cooling systems.
Says Unite general secretary Sharon Graham: "For too long London bus drivers have suffered from the effects of high temperatures while TfL and bus companies have failed to act. It is absolutely unacceptable.
"Every year we have the same problem during hot weather and yet no progress is being made to protect workers.
"This is a serious problem that risks the safety of drivers as well as millions of Londoners. It requires immediate, decisive action, which Unite will not stop fighting for."
What exactly is Unite after?
The union says it's calling for the introduction of 'fatigue management' — which might include stopping employers from disciplining drivers who say they are fatigued; as well as clear rules for drivers who currently have to drive buses in heatwaves with no air con.
In reply, Lorna Murphy, TfL's Director of Buses, said: "Alongside bus operators, we take our bus drivers' safety and welfare seriously and contracts rightly require operators to meet high standards.
"Our bus operators have a comprehensive hot weather plan in place to protect all staff and customers during the warm weather, including air cooling systems fitted in all driver cabs. 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 action will be taken to support them.
"We encourage any driver with concerns to contact their employer, their union, or the Confidential Incident Reporting & Analysis Service (CIRAS) anonymously."
