‘My shirt is wringing wet’: National Express bus drivers speak out about 40C conditions during heatwaves
Drivers in West Midlands said heat in cabs was ‘unbearable’ and threatened employee and passenger safety Bus drivers in the West Midlands have spoken out about the “horrendous” working conditions they have experienced during heatwaves, which led to 40C...
Bus drivers in the West Midlands have described working inside National Express cabs that became unbearably hot during recent heatwaves, raising concerns about both worker welfare and passenger safety.
According to reports in The Guardian Business, drivers said temperatures inside their vehicles reached as high as 40C during a stretch of severe weather that saw the UK experience three consecutive heatwaves. In June, the country recorded its hottest-ever June day, with temperatures above 37C. Drivers said the conditions were so intense that their shirts were left wet with sweat as they tried to complete their shifts.
The complaints come amid wider warnings that extreme weather is becoming a more regular feature in the UK. Last week, the Met Office said climate extremes are becoming the new “normal” for the country, a warning that adds urgency to concerns about how transport workers are expected to operate during prolonged hot spells.
The drivers’ account highlights the strain heatwaves can place on public transport operations. Cab temperatures far above comfortable working levels can make long shifts physically difficult, and the combination of heat, fatigue and concentration demands can affect safety for the driver and passengers alike. The report described the conditions as “horrendous” and “unbearable,” reflecting the level of concern expressed by staff.
The issue also underscores a broader climate-related challenge for employers and public services: adapting workplaces that were not designed for repeated extreme heat. While the current report focuses on bus drivers in the West Midlands, it fits into a wider pattern of disruption and risk linked to hotter summers in the UK.
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Source: The Guardian Business - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/20/national-express-bus-drivers-40c-conditions-heatwave-west-midlands
