Bus drivers employed by National Express in the West Midlands have described their working conditions during recent heatwaves as untenable, with temperatures in their vehicle cabs reaching 40C. Three drivers with more than 20 years of service each emphasized the physical toll of operating buses without adequate cooling systems, noting symptoms including excessive perspiration, fatigue, and passenger incidents.
The UK experienced three consecutive heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 37C last month, marking the country’s hottest June day on record. The Met Office has indicated that such climate extremes are increasingly becoming typical for the UK. The intense conditions have prompted renewed attention to workplace safety for transport workers both domestically and across Europe. A Green MP announced plans to introduce parliamentary legislation establishing maximum workplace temperatures, while the London mayor has committed additional support for bus drivers managing heatwave conditions.
Unite, the union representing affected drivers, highlighted that heat-trapping glass windows in bus cabs create a greenhouse effect that exacerbates temperature problems. The union provided drivers with documentation outlining their legal right to cease work when safety is compromised. While National Express confirmed that recently installed electric vehicles include air conditioning, the company stated that retrofitting older buses was previously considered economically impractical given the UK’s historically mild climate. The operator offered drivers additional 30-minute breaks, complimentary water, and emphasized their expectation that workers take necessary precautions to maintain safety, though some drivers expressed concern about visibility and potential service impacts.