Falling asleep at the wheel and urinating in jars - the reality for London bus drivers (UK)

Описание: A London bus driver says poor working conditions are putting safety at risk. 19/Mar/2026

An investigation by ITV News London uncovered claims that long hours, exhausting schedules and inadequate rest are leading to widespread fatigue.

Some drivers fear the workload could even lead to accidents.

Current rules address a number of the issues including regulation of driving hours, but workers say they don't go far enough.

In November 2024, a campaign for a London Bus Workers' Bill of Rights was started.

It included better rest time, toilet facilities and appropriate temperature control for different seasons.

A petition was also handed into parliament asking for the campaign to be made into legislation.
However, one current driver who spoke to ITV News London anonymously, said drivers "feel ignored" by TFL and their operators.

The driver, who we have called Clare Smith, said: "TFL have chosen to ignore it and it shows in the schedules, you know, with making us work longer shifts when they change the rotas and cutting down our stand time.

"...You've got the controllers who are encouraging or trying to pressure us not to take toilet breaks, like, go out straight away because it helps their statistics."

But as well as not taking breaks, a lack of toilets also poses a problem for many drivers.

According to the London Assembly, there are 675 bus routes - but nearly a quarter of them do not have these facilities.

Clare says she has had to resort to other ways to relieve herself and this isn't uncommon.

"I know that a lot of drivers use bottles because either the facilities provided are non existent or just really disgusting," she said.

"I've used a jar, a newspaper and baby wipes... I'm not in the cab, I've gone upstairs.

"But it isn't uncommon to do that. It's just you haven't got the time. You don't want to lose the mileage for the company and there aren't any facilities."

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So, we may now have a partial answer as to why some of the increasing public bus crashes in London is occurring. At worst, why many of them have crashes and the horrible conditions drivers are having to endure.

Not good TfL. Not good at all.

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#buscrashlondon
#busdrivers
#tfl
#busdriverabuse
#transportforlondon