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
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Trust low due to reliance on anonymous driver accounts and lack of documented evidence.
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Critic decent; provides quotes and specifics but mixes speculation with facts.
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Mildly sensational language but headline matches article content.
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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.
Questions this report answers
+What rights are the bus drivers campaigning for?
The campaign demands five contractual protections: working cooling systems, safe rest breaks, access to clean toilets on all routes, protection from retribution for reporting safety concerns, and schedules without forced overtime. These aim to address dangerous working conditions reported by drivers, including cabs reaching 43°C.
+Why did TfL reject the proposed bus driver rights plan?
TfL’s director of buses, Lorna Murphy, argued that existing employment laws already cover the issues raised. She stated a ‘Bill of Rights’ would not change conditions, contradicting drivers’ reports of unsafe practices and ignored concerns over cost efficiency.
+How can Londoners support the bus drivers’ campaign?
Residents can email MyLondon at luke.donnelly@reachplc.com or kumail.jaffer@reachplc.com to share their experiences or show support. The campaign also encourages following updates on MyLondon’s website or subscribing to its daily newsletters for further developments.
+What happened to the bus driver who refused to drive without air-conditioning?
A London bus driver had pay deducted on 29 July for refusing to operate a bus without air-conditioning when outdoor temperatures hit 34°C. This incident highlights the risks drivers face when prioritising safety under extreme heat conditions.
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