Arriva London Bus Strike: Driver sent home after refusing bus with no working air conditioning

Описание: More than 1,500 Arriva bus drivers have begun strike action across north London and parts of Essex, with 42 routes expected to face disruption during the first of 26 planned strike days.

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London Bus Forums was at Wood Green bus garage speaking to drivers and Unite about working conditions and concerns over extreme temperatures inside drivers’ cabs.

As part of our investigation, we obtained a telephone recording involving an Arriva driver who refused to continue with a bus after the cab reached 43°C and the air conditioning was not working. In the recording, the driver is told he has been marked absent and can go home.

Unite said drivers who are being penalised should speak to their representatives, while arguing the underlying issue would not arise if buses were properly repaired.

Arriva said driver welfare remained its top priority and that additional support had been introduced during hot weather, including welfare checks and breaks. The company also said drivers concerned about cab temperatures should stop safely, transfer passengers and take a 20-minute welfare break.

The report also includes previous comments from TfL Commissioner Andy Lord, who said drivers should feel able to take a bus out of service where there is an issue with air cooling or air conditioning. TfL told London Bus Forums News that drivers who do not feel able to carry out their duties safely should contact the controller and that action will be taken to support them.

Reported by Dylan Carroll for London Bus Forums News at Wood Green.