West Bromwich bus driver launches petition to make aircon mandatory on buses

A bus driver from West Bromwich has launched a petition to make aircon mandatory on public transport after struggling during the current heatwave.

Gavin Hall launched the petition, which has already gained more than 200 signatures, after struggling to cope under “strenuous” conditions.

The Met Office issued a rare “red” weather warning for extreme heat, which continues today (June 25) and an amber alert for tomorrow (June 26), covering parts of the West Midlands.

Many businesses, schools and public services are either closed or operating alternative hours due to the current weather conditions. But many people are still going to work as usual - including bus drivers.

Now, Gavin is calling on support from the public to make aircon mandatory on UK buses as he feels the weather is impacting drivers safety and comfort.

On the Change.org petition, he said: “As a bus driver, I face the daily challenge of operating a vehicle under strenuous conditions. When temperatures rise, it becomes near impossible to concentrate, compromising both safety and comfort.

“One of the frequent complaints from my passengers is about the lack of air conditioning, which doesn't exist in many of the buses we drive. Explaining this, amidst rising temperatures, creates a challenging environment for all.

“The discomfort of commuting during hot weather is an experience shared by many across the United Kingdom. The lack of air conditioning on buses not only affects drivers like myself but also leads to unpleasant and difficult journeys for passengers. High temperatures inside buses can lead to health concerns, fatigue, and increased irritability, all of which compromise safety and well-being.

“The recent increase in heatwaves highlights the urgency of addressing this issue. According to the Met Office, the UK has seen an increase in average summer temperatures, with 2022 being one of the hottest years on record. These conditions make it imperative that we adapt our public transportation to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for everyone.

“We propose making it a legal requirement for all UK buses to maintain fully functional air conditioning systems. This would not only improve the working conditions for drivers, ensuring a focused and alert operation of vehicles but also vastly enhance the experience for passengers, ensuring their comfort and safety.

“This change would require collaboration between local councils, bus operators, and the government to set and enforce new standards. Investment in retrofitting existing buses with modern air conditioning systems, as well as ensuring future buses are built with these systems in place, is crucial for the progression of our transport services.”

A National Express Bus spokesperson said: “The current hot weather conditions experienced across the UK are unprecedented. We recognise that bus driving in this kind of extreme heat can be unpleasant, and we would like to thank all our drivers for keeping the region moving. At National Express Bus, all our new electric vehicles have air conditioning.

“As the UK historically has had a mild climate, retrofitting air conditioning in buses was not cost-effective for the limited number of days it would have been useful. However, if current weather conditions become the norm this may need to be reviewed."

Other transport providers, the Department for Transport and the West Midlands Combined Authority have been contacted for a comment.

To sign the petition, click here.