Transport for London (TfL) has urged London bus drivers to ask for help amid scorching temperatures in cabs during hot weather. Concern was raised online on Sunday, May 12, which was reportedly the hottest day so far this year.
X user @ediz1975 posted a video of a thermometer from inside a bus. He wrote: “Dear @MayorofLondon. You promised all London buses will have air conditioning.
“Summer has just started and London buses are again at dangerous temperatures. I’m a passenger on this bus and it’s 36 degrees in seating area upstairs and well over 40 in driving cabin. I can hear a passenger saying she is going to pass out due to heat. Broken promises again.”
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Rosie Trew, TfL’s Head of Bus Service Delivery, said: “Our bus operators have a comprehensive hot weather plan in place to protect all staff and customers during the recent warm weather, including air conditioning in all driver cabs. If for any reason drivers do not feel they can carry out their duties safely, they should contact the controller and action will be taken to support them.”
The authority says that, if a bus driver feels it is appropriate for them to take a short break, there is a protocol for them to contact their controller and report it. TfL adds that all bus driver cabs have air conditioning, using ‘fresh air only and not recirculated air’.
Every bus also has reflective roofs, insulation and opening windows, while all new double-decker buses have air cooling, the authority says. Officials also promise that work to make the fleet zero-emission will mean buses’ engines generate less heat.
TfL has introduced a ‘relaxed’ uniform policy and ‘cooling towels’
In addition, TfL has highlighted that bus stations have stocks of water for staff, including for drivers. The authority advises customers using any form of transport to ensure they have water with them when they travel, offer a seat to those who may need it and that they may wish to travel at quieter times when possible.
If any customer feels ill, they should speak to the bus driver, bosses say. Furthermore, across the network, measures to ‘protect staff’ are being taken ‘where they are appropriate for the type of transport or role’.
These include, but are not limited to, a ‘relaxed’ uniform policy and provision of water and ‘cooling towels’. MyLondon also contacted the mayor’s office for comment.
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