Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has pledged to overhaul regulations protecting bus drivers from extreme heat, conceding that existing legislation "isn't fit for purpose" amid a series of heatwaves that have left drivers suffering in sweltering cabs.
Mayor's admission follows MyLondon campaign
Speaking on Friday (July 31), Sir Sadiq thanked MyLondon for its "independent reporting" on the issue and confirmed he has instructed Transport for London (TfL) to work closely with bus operators and Unite the union to ensure both buses and the rules governing them are adequate. The Mayor highlighted the lack of a maximum working temperature for bus drivers as a key gap.
MyLondon has documented multiple cases of drivers enduring extreme heat, including one who claimed his pay was docked for refusing to operate a vehicle without functioning air cooling. The campaign, titled 'Back Our Bus Drivers', has drawn attention to conditions described as being "in a greenhouse" while transporting dozens of passengers.
Call for a Bus Driver Bill of Rights
The London Assembly unanimously passed a motion last month calling for a Bus Driver Bill of Rights to improve working conditions, but City Hall had yet to respond. Nearly 30,000 people have signed a petition urging City Hall to embed guarantees on temperature, fatigue, toilet access, and other basic rights into TfL contracts with bus operators.
While the Mayor declined to commit to specific legislation solely for bus drivers, he suggested a broader approach: "There should be a Bill of Rights generally for workers. Bus drivers are one of the many categories of frontline workers who are struggling with the current extreme heatwave."
Frontline workers face 'greenhouse' conditions
Sir Sadiq stressed the importance of recognizing the challenges faced by frontline staff: "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."
He added, "I've instructed TfL to make sure that work really closely with bus operators, they work incredibly closely with Unite the union, to make sure, not only are our buses fit for purpose, but the regulations and legislation is fit for purpose."
Previous stance and ongoing pressure
In the past, TfL officials and the Mayor have maintained that existing legislation already covers such demands. However, the mounting evidence from drivers and the public petition have intensified pressure for concrete change.
MyLondon continues to invite bus drivers to share their experiences, with contact details provided for those willing to speak out.
