Sadiq Khan has instructed London bus drivers to stop their vehicles if the driver cabin becomes excessively hot during the ongoing heatwave, assuring them they will face no penalties. The Mayor of London emphasized that drivers should prioritize personal safety and passenger safety over continuing under unsafe conditions.
Mayor's directive: Stop driving if cabin is too hot
Speaking to LBC, Khan said: "I don't want any bus driver to work in conditions that are unacceptable in London in 2026. Let me speak directly to bus drivers - if your cabin is too hot, I've given TfL permission, and told the bus operators, you must not be driving that bus. Please think about your personal safety, please think about your passengers - you will not be penalised."
The announcement comes as temperatures in London have consistently reached 34°C or higher this week, with the current heatwave expected to continue until Sunday. The extreme heat has raised concerns about the working conditions for bus drivers, whose cabins can become dangerously hot when air-cooling systems fail.
Support measures and existing plans
A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq said: "The mayor and Transport for London take London's bus drivers' safety and welfare very seriously. The mayor recognises the vital role of London's hard-working bus drivers to keep the capital moving around the clock, and he is committed to continually improving working conditions."
The spokesperson added that the mayor is in close contact with TfL during the heatwave and has asked them to work with bus operators to implement additional support for drivers. This supplements the comprehensive hot weather plan already in place to protect staff and customers. All driver cabs are fitted with air-cooling systems, and checks on these systems are ongoing. If a system is not functioning and drivers feel they cannot carry out their duties safely, they should contact the controller and stop driving with no risk of penalties.
Unite union response: Long-term solutions needed
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is totally unacceptable for any bus driver to be put at risk due to high temperatures. Sadiq Khan has said the right thing here. It is now essential that bus operators listen to him and ensure that their workers and passengers are safe during this sweltering weather."
The union has previously reported that temperatures inside cabs can reach 40°C during heatwaves when air-cooling systems are not working, effectively turning buses into greenhouses. These issues are compounded by a lack of access to toilets at many bus route endpoints, leaving some drivers reluctant to drink water when far from adequate rest stops.
Unite is now calling for the formation of a taskforce involving the union, Transport for London, and bus operators to find a permanent solution to temperature extremes in both summer and winter, especially given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
Unite regional officer Nadine Edwards said: "The mayor has provided London drivers with some reassurances. Unite will ensure that the Mayor's pledge to bus workers is fully upheld. We now need long term solutions to end the misery and danger bus drivers are facing working in London."
