London bus drivers are raising cab heat concerns as the capital prepares for extreme temperatures, with a red weather warning issued for London.
Drivers are expected to continue keeping services moving during the heatwave, despite ongoing concerns over extreme cab temperatures, faulty air conditioning and driver welfare.
Transport for London has warned passengers that some rail, Tube, London Overground and Elizabeth line services may be disrupted by the heat. However, London buses are currently expected to operate as normal, raising fresh questions about what protection is in place for the drivers behind the wheel.
THE KEY POINTS
At a glance
- London is forecast to reach around 35°C today, 38°C on Wednesday and 38°C on Thursday
- A red extreme heat warning is in place for London from Wednesday morning until Thursday evening
- TfL says London buses are expected to run as normal
- Drivers have previously reported cab temperatures above 40°C
- London Bus Forums is asking what protection is in place for drivers working during the heatwave
Just now
16:55
Friday afternoon update: record heat keeps focus on driver welfare
As Friday afternoon draws to a close, London Bus Forums News is continuing to monitor driver reports after several days of concern over bus cab temperatures during the heatwave.
The Met Office has said the UK has provisionally recorded its hottest June day on record, with a temperature of 36.9°C recorded at Wattisham, Suffolk.
The update comes after London bus drivers raised concerns this week about high cab temperatures, faulty or ineffective cab cooling systems and how operators respond when buses are reported as unsafe.
London Bus Forums has received driver-submitted images showing cab temperature readings above 40°C, including one image showing 43.0°C at 15:54 on 24 June.
Drivers can continue sending cab temperature reports, photographs and information to:
Source: Met Office / London Bus Forums News
Just now
11:53
Unite says London bus drivers are being pushed to their limits during heatwave
Unite the union has said London bus drivers are being “pushed to their limits” during the current heatwave, warning that while outdoor temperatures may reach around 30°C, driver cabs can rise above 40°C.
The union said high cab temperatures can create serious welfare concerns for drivers working through extreme heat.
The comments come as London Bus Forums News continues to receive driver-submitted images showing cab temperature readings above 40°C, including a further image showing 43.0°C on 24 June.
London Bus Forums has been reporting since Tuesday on driver concerns over high cab temperatures, faulty or ineffective cab cooling systems, service disruption and how operators respond when buses are reported as unsafe.
Source: Unite the union / London Bus Forums News
Just now
10:21
Driver submits 43°C cab temperature reading during heatwave
London Bus Forums News has received a further image from a London bus driver showing a cab temperature reading of 43.0°C.
The thermometer display appears to show the reading was recorded at 15:54 on 24/6/2026, during the current red heat warning.
The image adds to continuing concerns from drivers about high cab temperatures, faulty or ineffective cab cooling systems and welfare during extreme heat.
The latest image comes after London Mayor Sadiq Khan told ITV News London that bus drivers should not risk their personal safety during extreme heat.
TfL Commissioner Andy Lord has also previously said buses should not be taken into service if air cooling or air conditioning is not serviceable.
Drivers can continue sending cab temperature reports, photographs and information to:
Source: Driver report / London Bus Forums News
Just now
10:05
Live updates continue as red heat warning remains in force
London Bus Forums News is continuing live coverage today as the red extreme heat warning remains in force across London.
Drivers continue to raise concerns about high cab temperatures, faulty cab cooling systems and how operators are responding when buses are reported as unsafe during the heatwave.
The Met Office warning remains in place until 9pm tonight, with hot and humid conditions continuing across London and the South East.
London Bus Forums will continue reporting throughout the day on driver cab temperatures, service disruption, operator responses and welfare concerns.
Drivers can send cab temperature reports, photographs and information to:
Source: Met Office / London Bus Forums News
6m ago
18:49
Mayor responds to bus driver heat concerns
ITV News London has questioned London Mayor Sadiq Khan about bus driver welfare during the heatwave, as concerns continue over cab temperatures and faulty cooling systems.
In a video posted by ITV News London, the mayor said drivers should not risk their personal safety during periods of extreme heat.
The comments come as London Bus Forums continues to receive reports from drivers about high cab temperatures, defective cab cooling and concerns over how operators are responding when buses are reported as unsafe.
Source: ITV News London / London Bus Forums News
Just now
17:53
Drivers say they are being sent home after refusing buses with faulty cab air conditioning
London Bus Forums News has received reports that some Transport UK drivers are being marked as “sick on duty” after refusing to continue driving buses where cab cooling systems are allegedly defective during the heatwave.
Drivers who contacted LBF say they are not refusing to work and are willing to drive buses where the cab cooling or air conditioning system is working properly.
However, they claim that after reporting buses with no working cab cooling, some drivers have been sent home as “sick on duty” and told they cannot work their following day’s duty.
Drivers have raised concerns that this could discourage staff from reporting health and safety concerns during extreme heat, particularly where cab temperature readings are alleged to have reached as high as 47°C.
London Bus Forums has not independently verified individual duty records, sickness records or rostering decisions, but the concerns have been raised directly by drivers.
TfL Commissioner Andy Lord has previously said buses should not be taken into service if air cooling or air conditioning is not serviceable.
London Bus Forums is seeking comment from Transport UK.
Source: Driver reports / London Bus Forums News
Just now
06:12
Live updates resume as red heat warning begins
London Bus Forums News has resumed live updates as London prepares for another day of severe heat.
The Met Office red extreme heat warning for London is due to come into force at 9am today and remain in place until 9pm on Thursday.
The latest Met Office forecast shows London could reach around 37°C today, with temperatures expected to climb sharply from late morning and into the afternoon.
London Bus Forums will continue reporting throughout the day on driver cab temperatures, faulty cab cooling systems, service disruption and welfare concerns.
Reminder: TfL Commissioner Andy Lord has previously said buses should not be taken into service if air cooling or air conditioning is not serviceable.
Drivers are encouraged to send cab temperature reports, photographs and information to:
Source: London Bus Forums News
Just now
20:49
Live updates paused overnight
London Bus Forums News is pausing live updates for tonight.
Tomorrow is expected to be another major day of the heatwave, and we will be back reporting throughout the day as drivers continue to raise concerns about cab temperatures, faulty cooling systems and welfare during extreme heat.
TfL Commissioner Andy Lord has previously told the London Assembly that where bus air cooling or air conditioning is not serviceable, the bus should not be taken into service, and that he expects drivers to refuse to take buses into service in those circumstances.
TfL’s Director of Buses, Lorna Murphy, has also stated that bus stations have stocks of water for staff, including drivers.
Drivers are encouraged to check back for further updates and to keep sending cab temperature reports, photographs and information to:
Source: London Bus Forums News
Just now
16:36
Route 8 running limited service as drivers raise cab air conditioning concerns
London Bus Forums News has been told by drivers that Route 8 is running a limited service this afternoon, with several buses remaining at Stagecoach London’s Bow Bus Garage due to concerns over faulty cab air conditioning systems during the heatwave.
A driver-submitted image shows several Route 8 buses parked inside Bow Bus Garage, while London Bus Forums’ Headway Monitor showed only a small number of vehicles tracking on the route.
Drivers have told LBF that some buses have not been taken into service because of concerns over defective cab air cooling and air conditioning.
The reports follow internal advice shared with London bus colleagues stating that drivers are not expected to take a bus into service if the cooling system is faulty, and that the policy remains unchanged.
Source: Driver reports / London Bus Forums Headway Monitor
Just now
16:17
Driver sends cab temperature reading of 35.2°C
London Bus Forums News has received a further image from a London bus driver showing a cab temperature reading of 35.2°C during today’s heat.
The driver said the cab air conditioning was faulty, adding to ongoing concerns about driver welfare during the current heat warning.
London Bus Forums has not independently verified the vehicle, route or operator involved, but the image has been shared as part of continuing reports from drivers about cab heat and air conditioning and air cooling problems.
TfL has previously said all driver cabs are fitted with air conditioning and air cooling systems and that drivers should contact the controller if air cooling is not working or if they do not feel able to carry out their duties safely.
Source: Driver report / London Bus Forums News
Just now
14:18
Historic 2023 report shows cab heat concerns are not new
A report from 2023 shows concerns over London bus cab temperatures and driver welfare have been raised before.
The London Spy reported at the time that a union had called for London buses to be suspended during heatwaves, following footage which appeared to show a person collapsed near the cab area of a route 147 bus during hot weather.
TfL was reported at the time as saying it had no evidence the incident involved a driver, rather than a customer, or that the incident was heat-related.
The report also raised wider concerns about high temperatures in driver cabs, faulty or ineffective cooling systems, fatigue and the potential impact on both drivers and passengers.
London Bus Forums is including the report as background context only. This is not a current incident, but it highlights that concerns over cab heat and hot weather procedures have been raised over several years.
Source: London Spy / archived social media footage
Just now
10:23
TfL responds to cab heat concerns as further clarification sought
Transport for London has responded to London Bus Forums after being asked what measures are in place to protect bus drivers during the current heat warning.
Lorna Murphy, TfL’s Director of Buses, said TfL takes bus drivers’ safety and welfare seriously and that operators have a comprehensive hot weather plan in place.
TfL said all driver cabs are fitted with air cooling systems and that if air cooling is not working, or if drivers do not feel they can carry out their duties safely, they should contact the controller and action will be taken to support them.
TfL also said bus stations have stocks of water for staff, including drivers, and that drivers should not face action for raising welfare concerns.
However, London Bus Forums has asked TfL for further clarification on whether buses with defective cab air cooling or air conditioning should be treated as a vehicle defect and prevented from entering service during hot weather.
Source: London Bus Forums News
Just now
08:55
Unite general secretary says lack of action on bus cab heat is “unacceptable”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has said London bus drivers have suffered from the effects of high temperatures for too long, claiming TfL and bus companies have failed to act.
In a post on X, she said the lack of progress in protecting workers during hot weather was “absolutely unacceptable”.
Her comments add further pressure on TfL and operators as London bus drivers continue to raise concerns over cab temperatures and air conditioning during the heat warning.
Source: Sharon Graham / X
Just now
02:38
Driver reports cab temperature reaching 40°C
A London bus driver has reported a cab temperature reading of around 40°C, saying the conditions “can’t be normal” as higher temperatures are forecast this week.
The post adds to concerns being raised by drivers over cab heat, air conditioning and welfare during the current heat warning.
London Bus Forums is continuing to gather reports from drivers and has contacted TfL for comment.
Source: Driver report / social media
Just now
00:55
TfL asked to clarify position on defective cab cooling
London Bus Forums has contacted Transport for London for comment on driver welfare during the current heat warning.
We have asked TfL to clarify whether its previous position remains in place that buses with defective cab air cooling or air conditioning should not be taken into service.
TfL has also been asked what measures are being put in place to protect drivers from extreme cab temperatures, and whether any additional guidance has been issued to London bus operators.
TfL’s response will be added to this developing story once received.
Source: London Bus Forums News / TikTok
9h ago
00:11
TfL says London buses expected to run as normal
TfL has warned passengers that some rail, Tube, London Overground and Elizabeth line services may be affected by very high temperatures.
However, London buses are currently expected to run as normal, despite ongoing concerns from drivers about cab temperatures and faulty air conditioning.
Source: Transport for London (TfL) / X
2m ago
00:10
Are you working during the heatwave?
London Bus Forums wants to hear from bus drivers working during the extreme heat.
Drivers can send cab temperature readings, photos, videos or details of faulty air conditioning to [email protected]
Please include the route, operator, vehicle type, date, time and temperature reading where possible.
Source: London Bus Forums News
3m ago
00:08
GMB trade union officer raises concern over 40°C cab temperatures
Steve Garelick, a GMB trade union officer, has questioned whether bus companies should allow drivers to face cab temperatures of around 40°C.
In a post on X, he asked whether people would leave a pet or livestock in a vehicle at 40°C, before questioning why bus drivers are expected to work in similar conditions.
His comments come as London prepares for extreme heat and bus drivers continue to raise concerns about cab temperatures and faulty air conditioning.
Source: Steve Garelick / X
4m ago
00:06
Driver welfare concerns under spotlight
London Bus Forums is asking what practical measures are being put in place to protect bus drivers during the extreme heat.
Drivers are safety-critical workers and prolonged exposure to high cab temperatures can affect concentration, alertness and wellbeing.
Concerns have previously been raised about faulty or ineffective cab air conditioning, with some drivers reporting cab temperatures above 40°C during hot weather.
Source: London Bus Forums News
7m ago
00:03
Red heat warning issued for London
A red extreme heat warning has been issued for London from Wednesday morning until Thursday evening, with very high temperatures expected across the capital.
The warning has raised fresh questions about how bus drivers will be protected while London buses continue to operate as normal.
Source: Met Office
why is your picture showing a EV bus but the temp gauge is on a Diesel bus ? All the EV buses I have been on are cool and very nice ?
The new volvo b8l mcv double decker buses at my garage have faulty a/c… its been reported countless times on the vehicle defect card and nothing is being done about it