Bus driver John penalised after refusing to drive in 34°C heat, Barnet depot

A bus driver working from a Barnet depot was docked pay after refusing to drive a vehicle he said was unsafe during the 34°C heat on 29 July. The driver, identified only as John, told MyLondon he returned the bus to the depot after reporting faulty air conditioning. Transport UK, the operator, later told him the cab fan was working and that he had refused a fit bus.

John began his shift without issue but took over a second bus at 11:30. Within three minutes, he said the heat inside the cab became unbearable. A controller offered him the choice of continuing with regular breaks or returning to swap vehicles. He chose to return, but an operations manager later informed him he would not be paid for the remaining 90 minutes of his shift.

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Mayor’s assurance not reflected in operator policy

The incident contradicts a statement made by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, in June. Speaking to LBC, Khan said any bus driver who feared their cab was too hot to operate safely would not face penalties for refusing to work. Transport for London (TfL) has not confirmed whether this guidance applies to private operators like Transport UK.

Last month, City Hall unanimously passed a motion calling for a bus driver ‘Bill of Rights’ to be included in operator contracts. The motion, reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, aims to formalise protections for drivers who refuse unsafe vehicles. No timeline has been set for its implementation.

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If I decide to go on that bus and I crash, and I kill someone, then it’s much worse, isn’t it?

John, bus driver

What happens next for Barnet drivers and passengers

Transport UK has not responded to requests for comment from This Is Local London or News London. TfL said it is reviewing the incident but has not yet determined whether the operator breached its contract. Drivers who experience similar issues can report them to TfL’s bus safety team online or by phone.

Residents who rely on bus services in Barnet can check real-time vehicle conditions via the TfL website or the TfL Oyster app. Passengers who board a bus they believe is unsafe can report it using the same channels. No formal deadline has been set for TfL’s review of this case.