Sadiq Khan has been slammed as London bus drivers drive in more than 40C heat and resort to urinating in plastic bottles. An investigation by Express sister site MyLondon has revealed the awful working conditions workers have to endure as 78 buses crash every day in the capital. Antonia Pugh-Thomas became fed up of driving with faulty air conditioning during a record-breaking London summer, and called time on her two-year career as a driver. “I’ve never been so ill as I’ve been since becoming a bus driver because my body, my immune system has just collapsed because of the fatigue,” she said.

“And so my periods of illness have been much more than I would have ever had previously.” Ms Pugh-Thomas added: “When you’re taking over a bus on a really hot day you’ll often find the seats are squidgy with the sweat of the driver before.

“Water literally pours onto the floor as you sit down. Everything just feels disgusting I’ve never experienced headaches like I have in the last two years of driving. A couple of times I’ve got home and fainted through heat fatigue. I’ve worked in the service industry for 40 years, and I’ve never been as tired as I’ve been for the past two years.

“We’re treated like machines. It’s all about the profit that the private bus operating companies are making, and they’re fixing the schedules so that they can get as much out of us as possible.” Driving in extreme heat with no air conditioning, working 13 days in a row without a break and urinating into plastic bottles due to a lack of toilets has given bus drivers the feeling they simply do not matter, MyLondon reported.

What is worse, the site added, they claim the whole system is upheld by a “culture of fear” which punishes anyone who speaks out. A driver, who asked to remain anonymous, claimed many of his colleagues have stopped reporting near misses due to this, as it could purportedly see them punished by their employer.

“I recently brushed a pedestrian with my front box as I was moving off from a bus stop,” he said. “Okay, it was minor and the pedestrian didn’t fall over, but I should have reported that.

“I haven’t been involved in any accidents, but even something as small as this could be serious.” Dylan Carroll, founder of London Bus Forums, and dozens of other drivers have launched a campaign to pressure Transport for London (TfL), of which Lord Khan is the Chair, into adding a “Bill of Rights” into its contracts with bus companies.

Their two demands relating to air conditioning and heating have now on the surface been met, after TfL agreed to fit every bus in the capital with air conditioning. This was after drivers endured awful conditions throughout the summer.

The authority has also vowed to build 53 new toilet blocks. Some drivers were purposely not drinking water to avoid the risk of being caught short, MyLondon found, while those that did were often left with little option but to urinate into a plastic bottle.

But campaigners are still calling for the right to a fairer work schedule, proper rest breaks and being able to report safety concerns without fear of retribution. 

Lord Khan, whose father was a bus driver, said he wanted to “thank MyLondon for their independent reporting on one of the most important issues, which is how our frontline workers are treated during things like an extreme heatwave”.

On whether he backs a Bus Driver Bill of Rights, he said: “There should be a Bill of Rights generally for workers. Bus drivers are one of the many categories of frontline workers who are struggling with the current extreme heatwave. And so it’s really important to look at all bus drivers, all workers who are suffering because of the extreme heatwave.”

Two months later, he said: “We need to evolve and find new ways to help bus drivers rather than having things stuck in stone that could be out of date very soon.” The Mayor of London added: “We’re going to carry on finding new ways to keep our bus drivers as healthy as possible. 10 years ago, we didn’t recognise that temperatures would be north of 35 degrees in cabs, and we do now.

“So I’m really pleased we’re not relying upon a 10-year-old agreement or bill of rights. What we’re doing is making sure we listen to our bus drivers, work with trade unions to evolve and find new ways to service our bus drivers. And ultimately, that leads to customers getting a better service as well.”

Reform UK London Assembly Member Keith Prince said: “Sadiq Khan’s dismissal of firm protections as being ‘stuck in stone’ is astonishing. My Bus Drivers’ Bill of Rights includes proper rest breaks, safe schedules, clean welfare facilities and working air cooling, which was unanimously backed by the whole London Assembly. Drivers deserve proper standards, not another excuse from the Mayor who has had 10 years to ensure Bus Drivers are given the rights they deserve.”

TfL said: “Bus drivers play a vital role in ensuring the success of the capital’s bus network, enabling millions of people across London to travel sustainably and affordably.” It added: “Drivers rightly expect to have the facilities they need to carry out their roles safely and comfortably and we’re working closely with Unite and operators on a range of measures to improve welfare.

“This includes our recent groundbreaking agreement to install modern air conditioning in all bus driver cabs by the end of May 2027. Over the coming weeks, we’ll also be installing toilet facilities at the six remaining London bus routes that do not currently have a toilet at either terminus and are providing additional funding to enable the building of 53 more new toilet buildings across the capital over the next three years.

“We value all feedback from the thousands of people who work tirelessly to keep London’s bus network moving and will continue to work closely with them, our operators and Unite to ensure that everyone can work safely and comfortably on our bus network.”

Sadiq Khan Slammed as Exhausted London Bus Drivers Are Forced to Wee in Bottles

London’s bus network is facing renewed scrutiny after an investigation exposed the degrading conditions some drivers say they endure while keeping the capital moving. Reports of exhausted workers, overheated driving cabins and drivers resorting to urinating in bottles have triggered fierce criticism of Mayor Sadiq Khan and raised serious questions about whether enough is being done to protect the people behind the wheel.

The controversy is particularly damaging because access to toilets is not a luxury or an optional workplace benefit. It is a basic requirement for employees whose shifts can stretch across long routes, including early mornings and late nights, when public facilities may be closed or difficult to reach.

Although Transport for London (TfL) says improvements have been made and further investment is planned, drivers and campaigners argue that promises must translate into reliable facilities at every location where workers need them.

Disturbing reports from behind the wheel

The issue attracted significant attention following an ITV News London investigation published in March 2026. Drivers described long working hours, inadequate opportunities to rest and insufficient toilet access. Some said the pressures were so severe that they had resorted to urinating in bottles or jars rather than risk missing their schedules.

The investigation also raised concerns about fatigue. Some drivers reported being so exhausted that they had fallen asleep while stopped at traffic lights. Others described dirty driving cabins and uncomfortable working conditions that they believed were affecting their health and ability to concentrate.

These accounts do not mean every London bus driver faces the same circumstances. They do, however, raise questions about whether existing arrangements are sufficiently robust to prevent individual workers from being placed in unacceptable situations.

ITV reported that drivers feared speaking publicly because they worried about possible consequences at work. That concern matters because workplace problems can remain hidden when employees believe that reporting them could threaten their livelihoods. <Cite refs={[“turn826450search1″,”turn826450search5″,”turn826450search8”]}/>

For a driver responsible for dozens of passengers, the consequences of exhaustion go beyond personal discomfort. A worker who is struggling to stay alert, cope with extreme temperatures or find a toilet may find it harder to concentrate on traffic, pedestrians and unexpected hazards.

That is why campaigners insist that driver welfare should be considered an essential part of public transport safety rather than a secondary employment issue.

Why is Sadiq Khan facing criticism?

As London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan is under pressure to demonstrate that the transport system operating under his political leadership treats its workforce properly. Critics argue that the continuing reports are particularly embarrassing because the problem of toilet access has been recognised for years.

In February 2018, Khan announced £6 million in funding intended to improve toilet provision for bus drivers on 40 routes. The plan was designed to provide permanent facilities where access had previously been limited, including at the ends of routes. At the time, the mayor said drivers should not have to spend hours behind the wheel without knowing where they could use a toilet. <Cite refs={[“turn826450search3”]}/>

Yet reports of drivers still resorting to bottles have prompted questions about whether the earlier improvements were comprehensive enough, properly maintained and accessible throughout every shift.

Opponents argue that a policy cannot be considered successful simply because money has been allocated or facilities have been installed at selected locations. Toilets must actually be open, clean, accessible and available when drivers need them.

Khan has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. Following the March investigation, he said he was appalled by what had been revealed and indicated that the situation needed to change. He also called for drivers to have direct ways to report problems to TfL, bus operators and unions. <Cite refs={[“turn826450search0″,”turn826450search5”]}/>

The mayor’s response shows that the allegations have not simply been dismissed. Nevertheless, critics say expressions of concern must be followed by measurable improvements, clear deadlines and accountability when operators fail to meet their responsibilities.

TfL promises more toilets and better access

Transport for London has said it is working with bus operators and the Unite union to improve working conditions. In July, TfL’s director of buses, Lorna Murphy, said she was shocked by the reports of drivers using bottles as toilets.

Murphy explained that five routes at the time lacked dedicated toilet facilities, although alternative arrangements were said to be available through places such as local shops and restaurants. She pledged to improve provision and said drivers should be allowed to take a comfort break when necessary.

She also encouraged drivers with specific evidence of problems to report them so the circumstances could be investigated. <Cite refs={[“turn826450search2”]}/>

In September, TfL announced another package of measures. The plans included additional funding for 53 new toilet buildings over the following three years. TfL also said that, since Khan became mayor, 154 locations had received refurbished or newly installed facilities to improve driver welfare.

The announcement prioritised installing facilities on six remaining routes, while work would continue on ten other routes where toilets existed at termini but might not be accessible throughout all operating hours. <Cite refs={[“turn826450search12”]}/>

These commitments are important, but the practical test is straightforward: can every driver access a suitable toilet during their working hours without being forced to choose between basic bodily needs and keeping to a timetable?

A facility that closes before a late shift finishes is not a complete solution. Nor is a toilet that requires a driver to walk too far away from a terminus or depend on a business that may refuse access.

Exhaustion and extreme heat add to the pressure

Toilet access is only one part of the wider debate about working conditions on London’s buses.

During the summer of 2026, drivers raised concerns about temperatures inside some cabins, with reports describing conditions exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Former driver Antonia Pugh-Thomas, who left the profession after two years, described severe fatigue and deteriorating health during her time in the job, according to reporting published in October.

Drivers have also complained about inadequate air conditioning, dirty vehicles and demanding schedules. Such accounts have strengthened calls for minimum standards that apply consistently across the network rather than depending on the particular operator, route or depot. <Cite refs={[“turn826450search4″,”turn826450search9”]}/>

Fatigue deserves particular attention in a city where buses operate through crowded streets and frequently encounter cyclists, pedestrians, roadworks and unpredictable traffic.

Driving a bus requires sustained concentration. Even a brief lapse can have serious consequences, particularly when a vehicle is carrying passengers or travelling through a busy junction.

That does not mean every tired driver will cause an accident, nor does it establish that poor toilet provision is responsible for any particular collision. It does mean employers and transport authorities should take credible reports of fatigue seriously and ensure that schedules allow drivers to work safely.

Passengers have an interest in these standards too. A transport network cannot be genuinely reliable if its timetable depends on workers enduring conditions that undermine their health or concentration.

Calls for a Bus Drivers’ Bill of Rights

Frustration among drivers has helped fuel demands for a formal Bus Drivers’ Bill of Rights. The campaign, launched in 2024, includes calls for proper rest breaks, accessible toilet facilities and suitable temperature control inside driving cabins.

In August 2026, drivers staged a rally outside TfL’s Palestra offices to demand that the proposed protections be put into effect. Their demands included functioning heating and air conditioning, serviced toilets and adequate breaks.

ITV reported that the London Assembly had unanimously approved a motion supporting the Bill of Rights in July. TfL said it was working with operators and Unite on measures intended to improve welfare, working schedules, vehicle safety and access to facilities. <Cite refs={[“turn826450search1″,”turn826450search7”]}/>

Supporters argue that a clear set of standards would make it easier for drivers to understand their rights and report failures. It could also give transport authorities a more consistent basis for assessing whether operators are meeting their obligations.

The key question is enforcement. A declaration of good intentions will have limited value if drivers still cannot take a toilet break when needed or are reluctant to report unsafe conditions.

A meaningful framework would require transparent monitoring, confidential reporting channels and clear procedures for investigating complaints. It would also need to ensure that workers are not penalised for raising legitimate safety concerns.

The wider political consequences

The controversy presents Khan with an uncomfortable challenge. London’s mayor has responsibility for strategic oversight of the capital’s transport system, while bus operators employ drivers and are responsible for important aspects of their daily working conditions.

That division of responsibility matters. It would be misleading to suggest that the mayor personally controls every driver’s timetable or every toilet at every terminus. Equally, the existence of multiple operators does not remove the need for TfL to set standards, monitor performance and address persistent gaps in provision.

The most useful response is therefore not simply to trade accusations. It is to establish precisely which routes lack adequate facilities, whether toilets are available throughout operating hours, how long workers must wait for breaks and what happens when an operator fails to correct a problem.

Clear public reporting would help passengers and drivers judge whether the announced improvements are working. It would also make it easier to distinguish isolated failures from recurring weaknesses across the network.

For Khan, the political risk is that a problem acknowledged years ago continues to generate disturbing headlines. For TfL and bus operators, the operational risk is that poor conditions damage staff morale, make recruitment and retention more difficult and undermine confidence in the system.

A basic standard of dignity

London depends on bus drivers every day. They take people to work, schools, hospitals and appointments, often starting before sunrise and finishing late at night. Their work requires patience, concentration and responsibility.

They should not have to worry that using a toilet will put them behind schedule, and they should never feel that urinating in a bottle is their only practical option.

TfL’s latest commitments to build more facilities are a step towards addressing the problem. But success must be judged by what happens on the ground: whether toilets are accessible, whether rest breaks are realistic, whether vehicles are safe and comfortable, and whether workers can raise concerns without fear.

The allegations have rightly placed driver welfare under the spotlight. The next stage must be to turn promises into results.

For Sadiq Khan, the challenge is to demonstrate that the capital’s transport authorities can resolve a long-running problem rather than repeatedly express shock when it resurfaces. For bus operators, it is to ensure that basic facilities and safe working conditions are part of everyday operations, not occasional priorities.

Ultimately, this is about more than embarrassing headlines or political point-scoring. It is about dignity at work and public safety. A city that relies on its bus drivers should make sure they have the facilities, breaks and working conditions necessary to do their jobs safely.