London bus drivers’ march puts foot down against bosses

London bus drivers on the march from Angel, north London, to Southwark, south London

From unbearable temperatures, no toilets and cockroach infestations to long hours, London bus drivers face dangerous work conditions.

That’s why bus drivers marched on the Transport for London (TfL) headquarters on Wednesday.

“We work 10 to 12 hour shifts with a 40 minute break and no toilet—and we’re expected to drive the bus,” Lorraine said. “For female drivers, the toilet issue is particularly difficult.

“Now we know we have cockroaches on the bus. If a cockroach drops down on you when you’re driving, you’re going to jump. That puts you and the passengers and other people at risk.

“Back in the day, buses were brought in, cleaned and sent out. But TfL has tightened the purse strings. It’s about time we put our foot down.”

Some drivers work seven-day rotas—two days off, then seven days back on. One driver said some buses haven’t been deep-cleaned since Covid. And some drivers have even passed out while driving from the heat.

Steve, a driver of 20 years from the south coast of England, told Socialist Worker he’s seen a “slow erosion” of conditions. “When I started, we got a list of places we could go to the toilet,” he said.

“It was two 2 sides of A4—now it’s one side of A5. And our breaks have been getting shorter. I do two five-hour shifts and get one 50 minute break.”

Steve added that he’s “worried that these types of bad conditions will spread”. “Managers come down from London and take this with them,” he explained.

“So it gets worse for us—having to answer the radio while driving, no real safety training. It’s not quite as bad as here, but it’s coming unless it changes here.”

While London workers fight for even just adequate conditions, the trade unions are not doing enough.

The initial campaign was backed by Unite, but workers have become disillusioned with the union leaders. “Unite decided not to support the campaign anymore, with no reason as to why,” London driver David told Socialist Worker.

He said that drivers are “taking control independently of the unions to fight for the Bill of Rights”.

Some drivers are leaving Unite and joining GMB, but the key is organising at the base of whatever union to push for action.

Drivers have been campaigning to demand that TfL puts the Bus Drivers’ Bill of Rights into their contracts.

The Bill contains 12 demands to improve the working conditions of drivers and the wider safety of London buses.

“London buses should not be a business,” driver Paul said. “They are a public service—they keep London running.

“The only thing that we want are safe, clean and comfortable buses. We demand—we’re not asking—the right to a safe working environment.”

Drivers are building their own fightback, running their own campaign to fight for their rights.

• Sign the Bus Drivers’ Bill of Rights petition