Bus drivers on six routes get temporary toilets

New temporary toilets have been installed for drivers of six London bus routes without facilities at either terminus.

Drivers on the affected routes will have "improved access to facilities at their termini, rather than needing to rely on facilities mid-route or a short walk away", Transport for London (TfL) said.

The authority said it was planning to build an additional 53 new toilet buildings for bus drivers across the capital over the next three years.

The Unite union said the measure was welcomed, but TfL needed to be quicker in providing facilities as "some drivers are still taking toilet breaks by the side of the road".

Mayor of London, Lord Sadiq Khan, said bus drivers "play an essential role in keeping London moving" and every bus driver "should have the facilities they need to do their work safely and comfortably".

Carl Eddleston, TfL's Director of Streets and Network Operations, said: "We're pleased to be making further progress by providing facilities for these six routes, while continuing our wider programme of investment in bus driver welfare across London.

"We know there is more to do and this builds on the significant improvements already made and our commitment to provide even better facilities for drivers in the years ahead."

Last month, the mayor of London, TfL and Unite, as part of a taskforce to improve working conditions for drivers during periods of extreme weather, reached an agreement to install air conditioning in all bus driver cabs by the end of May 2027.

Unite regional officer Nadine Edwards said the union's polling found more than half its drivers still have poor facilities at work and some drivers are still taking toilet breaks by the side of the road.

"We welcome today's plans by TfL to introduce these six new toilet facilities, however we must move faster.

"Many London bus drivers still do not have access to the toilets and break facilities they need, which is leading them to experience health problems and fatigue.

"Through our Fight Fatigue Now campaign, Unite will continue to lobby TfL, the mayor and bus operators on ensuring every London driver has access to clean and safe rest, toilet and welfare facilities".

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