The London Assembly has unanimously backed a motion to introduce a 'Bill of Rights' for bus drivers, following a heatwave that saw temperatures soar to 50C in some drivers' cabs. The motion, proposed by Reform UK Assembly Member Keith Prince on July 2, calls for a dozen key principles to protect drivers.
Key Demands of the Bill of Rights
The bill requires all London buses to have working air-cooling and heating systems, access to a toilet on every route, and a safe work schedule without forced overtime or loss of pay. It also demands an acceptable rest break during the workday and the right to report safety concerns without fear of retribution from Transport for London (TfL) or employers.
Keith Prince AM said: "We have seen drivers having to drive with their shirts off, drivers that don't have anywhere to go to the loo. Something needs to be done because while it's important we are able to get to work and buses run on time, it's equally important we are not driving these bus drivers to such levels of fatigue that they make human errors."
Unanimous Support from Assembly Members
All 21 assembly members in attendance voted in favor of the motion, which calls on Mayor Sadiq Khan and TfL to formally recognize and support the bill. Green AM Caroline Russell highlighted a recent incident in Paris where a bus driver crashed into a tree after being overcome by heat. "Drivers have been working in sweltering heat [in recent weeks]. In extreme weather, drivers are expected to carry their responsibility, which is pushing them to their limits," she said. Russell noted that she submitted a similar petition in February 2025, which included protections for workers raising safety concerns.
Labour's Elly Baker added: "Safe working hours, protection from fatigue, working conditions that aren't too hot or cold - these should be a given. Many of these points are covered in existing legislation, but it is right that where we fall short is implementation."
Strike Ballot and Union Action
Unite the Union is balloting 1,900 bus drivers across 10 depots in North and East London over potential strike action, citing "unbearable" heatwave conditions. The depots include Barking, Clapton, Dartford, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham, and Wood Green. The ballot opened on July 1 and closes on July 29. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused operator Arriva of "putting profits before people" and failing to invest in better cooling systems. Unite has warned that any strike will cause severe delays and cancellations.
Mayor's Response
Last week, Mayor Sadiq Khan promised more support for drivers. He stated that any driver working in a bus with faulty air cooling can stop driving and contact their controller without penalties. "What we've done is make sure that the bus companies that run our buses have been instructed by TFL to make sure that no bus leaves the garage unless the air conditioning and the air cooling is working," Khan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. He added that bus performance contracts have been suspended in such cases, so operators won't be penalized for delays caused by drivers taking action to ensure safety. Khan also said that "dodgy buses" brought by the previous mayor, with windows that couldn't open and non-functional AC, have been taken out of service.
