Bus drivers in the West Midlands are facing "unbearable" working conditions, with temperatures inside cabs reportedly reaching as high as 40C during recent heatwaves. The extreme heat is causing drivers' shirts to be "wringing wet", while some passengers have even been seen passing out.
The UK's Met Office has warned that intense heatwaves are becoming the new norm for the country, and bus drivers claim the lack of adequate air conditioning in their vehicles is exacerbating the problem. The glass windows on buses create a "greenhouse effect" that traps heat inside, leaving drivers to swelter.
Unite, the union representing National Express drivers, has highlighted the severe health risks posed by these conditions. Sharon Graham, the union's general secretary, said: "Bus drivers are left sweltering during heatwaves, risking their own health and that of their passengers." She urged bus firms to prioritise people over profits and address the problem, which she noted is worsening annually.
While National Express has announced that all its new electric vehicles will be equipped with air conditioning, a spokesperson acknowledged that retrofitting older buses with cooling systems was not historically cost-effective given the UK's typically mild climate. However, they conceded that this approach may need reviewing if extreme weather becomes more frequent.
The issue of workplace temperatures in transport is gaining broader attention, with Green MP Hannah Spencer set to introduce a bill in parliament to establish a maximum workplace temperature. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also pledged additional support for bus drivers during heatwaves, and the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is expected to focus on transforming public transport infrastructure.
Many drivers were unaware of their entitlement to additional 30-minute breaks to help cope with the heat, while others feared the potential impact on their pay and service delays. Unite has provided its members with a letter to present to employers, asserting their legal right to stop work for safety reasons when conditions become excessively hot due to inadequate cooling systems.