Bus drivers employed by National Express in the West Midlands have raised concerns about extreme heat conditions in their vehicles during a series of heatwaves that affected the UK in recent months. Three drivers, each with over two decades of service, described temperatures reaching 40C inside their cabs and characterized the working environment as unbearable and potentially unsafe. They reported sweating profusely and noted instances where passengers lost consciousness aboard buses.
The situation reflects broader concerns about workplace safety for transport workers across the UK and Europe during periods of elevated temperatures. The Met Office recently indicated that climate extremes are becoming increasingly frequent occurrences. Some political figures have responded to the issue—a Green MP announced plans to introduce legislation establishing maximum workplace temperatures, while the London mayor pledged additional support for bus drivers during heat events. The new prime minister has indicated that transforming public transport infrastructure will be a priority for his administration.
National Express has implemented measures including additional 30-minute breaks for drivers, though awareness of this policy appears limited among staff members, with some concerned about potential pay impacts and service delays. Unite, the union representing the drivers, emphasized that the problem is compounded by glass windows creating a greenhouse effect and stressed that heat-related illnesses pose risks to both drivers and passengers. The union provided workers with formal letters outlining their legal right to cease work under unsafe conditions.
A National Express spokesperson characterized recent weather as unprecedented and noted that new electric vehicles in their fleet include air conditioning systems. The company stated that retrofitting older buses with cooling systems was historically deemed economically unfeasible given the UK’s traditionally mild climate, but indicated this assessment may require revision if extreme heat becomes routine. The company reiterated support for drivers and emphasized provisions of water and break time during difficult conditions.
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