A second Arriva London bus driver has been marked absent after refusing to continue operating a bus over concerns about non-functioning cab air conditioning.
In the recording, the driver is told by a controller that “the higher-ups” had decided he was “unfit for service” because he had not driven a bus for more than an hour.
The controller then tells him: “So you’ve been marked absent for today.”
London Bus Forums News understands the temperature inside the driver’s cab had exceeded 40°C.
The recording is separate from an incident reported over the weekend involving another Arriva bus driver who was sent home after saying the temperature inside his cab had reached 43°C.
TfL has told London Bus Forums News that operators “should never take action against people raising concerns about welfare”.
Arriva London has not responded to questions about the latest incident.
Unite has since said no worker should be disciplined for raising safety concerns and that it will raise the issue with operators and Transport for London.
4m ago
12:55
Sharon Graham previously questioned effectiveness of TfL heat taskforce
Eight days before Unite told London Bus Forums News that it would raise concerns about drivers being penalised at the next TfL heat taskforce meeting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham told ITV News that the taskforce “hasn’t worked” and “isn’t going to work”.
London Bus Forums News asked Unite whether its position on the effectiveness of the taskforce had changed.
“Unite has since said Sharon Graham’s comments were based on ‘years of inertia from TfL and the bus companies’, adding that the union is now heavily involved in the new taskforce and is raising members’ concerns.”
“A Unite spokesperson said it is now ‘on TfL and the bus companies to act on these and to honour promises made to the union’.”
Watch our latest video examining Unite’s latest statement alongside Sharon Graham’s earlier comments.
Source: ITV News London / Unite the Union / London Bus Forums News
Just now
16:31
Unite says drivers should not be penalised over safety concerns
Unite has responded to London Bus Forums News following reports of London bus drivers being sent home or marked absent after refusing to operate buses over concerns about extreme heat and non-functioning cab air conditioning.
Unite regional officer Nadine Edwards said:
“It is clear that Sadiq Khan is saying one thing but the bus companies are doing another. Workers are still being penalised for refusing to drive buses that are not fit for purpose or that they cannot drive because it is too hot.
“The operators continue to do what they want and are refusing to listen to our members’ concerns. No worker should be disciplined for trying to do their job safely and Unite will not stand for it. Unite is asking our members on London buses to come to us immediately if they have been disciplined or investigated for stopping a bus in hot weather. We will be raising this with the operators and Transport for London at our next taskforce meeting to ensure this situation stops.”
Source: Unite the Union
Just now
11:21
London Bus Watch questions public confidence over Arriva driver cases
Tom Kearney, from London Bus Watch, has responded to the latest revelations and questioned whether the cases undermine public confidence in the way London’s bus network is overseen.
He told London Bus Forums News:
“I would assume the obvious contradiction between what City Hall is telling the press and what Bus Drivers are evidencing at London’s contracted Bus Operators should undermine public trust in both pillars of London’s Public Surface Transport Operation.
“Since London’s publicly-run Bus Service has served as the Labour Government’s primary inspiration for its Bus Services Act 2025, at what point does someone with authority in Westminster call for an Independent Inquiry of the Safety Integrity of the London Bus Franchise Model?”.
Source: London Bus Watch
Just now
04:14
Arriva operations managers decline to comment at Wood Green
On Friday 14 August, London Bus Forums News approached two Arriva operations managers at Wood Green bus garage during strike action and asked whether they wished to comment on the drivers taking part in the dispute.
One of the managers was also asked whether they had any message of support for drivers raising concerns about working conditions.
The managers did not provide a substantive response, with both saying: “No comment.”
London Bus Forums News has since sought further comment from Arriva London about the treatment of drivers who refuse buses over concerns about extreme heat and non-functioning cab air conditioning.
Source: London Bus Forums News
11m ago
03:00
TfL says operators should not take action over welfare concerns
“TfL thanks all of London’s bus drivers for the excellent job they do keeping Londoners moving, particularly in this hot weather. Bus drivers play an essential role in keeping the capital moving. Alongside bus operators, we take their safety and welfare seriously and we rightly require operators to meet high standards. Any reports from drivers are always fully investigated, and our operators should never take action against people raising concerns about welfare.”
Source: Transport for London
15m ago
02:56
Listen: Second Arriva driver marked absent after refusing bus over air-conditioning concerns
London Bus Forums News has obtained a second telephone recording involving a separate Arriva London driver.
In the call, the controller tells the driver that “the higher-ups” had decided he was “unfit for service” before telling him he had been marked absent for the day.
Source: London Bus Forums News
26m ago
02:45
Second recording reveals separate Arriva driver marked absent
London Bus Forums News has obtained a second telephone recording involving a separate Arriva London driver who was told he had been marked absent after refusing to continue operating a bus over concerns about non-functioning driver-cab air conditioning.
In the 46-second call, a controller tells the driver that “the higher-ups” had decided he was “unfit for service” because he had not driven a bus for more than an hour.
The controller then tells him: “So you’ve been marked absent for today.”
Source: London Bus Forums News
