Sadiq Khan tells London bus drivers to stop if ‘cabin is too hot’ during extreme heatwave

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said drivers have been working in ‘totally unacceptable’ conditions as temperatures soar to 36C in London

Sadiq Khan has promised more support for bus drivers to help them cope with the extreme hot weather. The Mayor of London said any driver working in a bus where air-cooling systems are not working can stop driving and contact their controller with no risk of penalties.

Unite the union has repeatedly called on City Hall and Transport for London (TfL) to fix the issues they claim is damaging the health of drivers. Temperatures have consistently reached 34C or higher this week with the current heatwave not expected to end until Sunday.

A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq said: “The mayor and Transport for London take London’s bus drivers’ safety and welfare very seriously. The mayor recognises the vital role of London’s hard-working bus drivers to keep the capital moving around the clock, and he is committed to continually improving working conditions.

“The mayor is in close contact with TfL during the heatwave and has asked that they work with bus operators to put in place more support for drivers. This is in addition to the comprehensive hot weather plan in place to protect all staff and customers during the warm weather.

“All driver cabs are fitted with air-cooling systems and checks on these are taking place. If air-cooling systems on a vehicle are not functioning and drivers do not feel they can carry out their duties safely, they should contact the controller and stop driving, with no risk of any penalties.”

Sir Sadiq has encouraged any driver with concerns to contact their employer, their union, or a confidential reporting service, saying they would be taken seriously and fully investigated.

Speaking to LBC Sir Sadiq said: “I don’t want any bus driver to work in conditions that are unacceptable in London in 2026. Let me speak directly to bus drivers – if your cabin is too hot, I’ve given TFL permission, and told the bus operators, you must not be driving that bus.

“Please think about your personal safety, please think about your passengers – you will not be penalised.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is totally unacceptable for any bus driver to be put at risk due to high temperatures. Sadiq Khan has said the right thing here. It is now essential that bus operators listen to him and ensure that their workers and passengers are safe during this sweltering weather.”

The union previously said temperatures inside cabs can reach 40C during heatwaves when the air cooling systems aren’t working, ‘turning the buses into greenhouses’. These issues are allegedly exacerbated by the lack of access to toilets at either end of many bus routes, which leaves some drivers afraid to drink water when they are far from an adequate rest stop.

Unite is now calling for the formation of a taskforce between itself, Transport for London (TfL) and the bus operators to find a permanent solution, to boiling temperatures in the summer and freezing conditions in the winter. This is particularly important given the growing increase in extreme weather events.

Unite regional officer Nadine Edwards said: “The mayor has provided London drivers with some reassurances. Unite will ensure that the Mayor’s pledge to bus workers is fully upheld. We now need long term solutions to end the misery and danger bus drivers are facing working in London.”

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