TfL rejects bus driver rights plan as drivers report 43C cabs
MyLondon campaign demands five contractual protections after pay was docked for refusing unsafe conditions
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Only one named source (Lorna Murphy) and no direct document cited.
Higher is stronger
No affected drivers quoted; vague figures and no clear next steps.
Higher is stronger
Headline and lead overstate findings; campaign framing dominates content.
Lower is better
A London bus driver was penalised for refusing to drive a vehicle without air-conditioning on 29 July, the same day outdoor temperatures reached 34°C. The incident, reported by MyLondon, contradicts recent assurances from Mayor Sadiq Khan and TfL commissioner Andy Lord that drivers would not face consequences for prioritising safety.
The case emerged as MyLondon launched its ‘Back Our Bus Drivers’ campaign, which calls for five enforceable rights to be included in TfL’s contracts with bus operators. The campaign follows accounts from drivers describing cabs reaching 43°C due to faulty cooling systems, shifts with only 10 hours off between them, and routes without access to toilets for up to three hours.
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TfL dismisses proposed protections
Lorna Murphy, TfL’s director of buses, told ITV this week that a ‘Bill of Rights’ for drivers would not improve conditions. She stated that existing employment laws already cover the issues raised. MyLondon’s reporting, however, suggests drivers feel their concerns are ignored in favour of cost efficiency.
The campaign’s proposed rights include guaranteed access to clean toilet and rest facilities on all routes, protection from retribution for reporting safety concerns, and properly maintained air cooling and heating systems. It also demands safe work schedules without forced overtime and mandatory rest breaks during shifts.
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London's bus drivers help us commute each day, take children to and from school and make sure our grandparents can get to the shops. They are there for all of us. In return they are asking to be allowed to do their job safely and comfortably. That shouldn't be a question they ever need to ask.
Chris Ballinger, MyLondon Executive Editor
What happens next
MyLondon is urging TfL to include the five rights in its contracts with bus operators. The campaign invites drivers to share their experiences by emailing luke.donnelly@reachplc.com or kumail.jaffer@reachplc.com. No formal consultation or council debate has been scheduled on the proposals.
TfL has not announced plans to review driver working conditions in response to the campaign. Residents can follow updates on MyLondon’s website or subscribe to its daily newsletters for developments.
News London Desk
This article was written at the News London news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
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