Bus drivers in Barnet report fatigue risks as TfL pledges monitoring tech

Bus drivers in Barnet are reporting dangerous levels of fatigue, with almost half experiencing near-misses on the road in the past year. A Unite survey, published in June, found that 48 % of drivers had a close call due to tiredness, while 36 % felt sleepy while driving two or three times a week.

Antonia Pugh-Thomas, a 50-year-old former driver who worked on Barnet routes, left her job last month after two years behind the wheel. She told MyLondon that shifts of nine to 12 hours included only one 40-minute break, often cut short by traffic delays. Some days, she said, she had no break at all.

Thirteen days without rest

Pugh-Thomas said she was never told she could be scheduled for 13 consecutive days without a day off. Current regulations allow drivers on local routes to work 10-hour days with no weekly limit, provided they have one day off every two weeks. Over a fortnight, they can work up to 130 hours.

Dylan Carroll, founder of London Bus Forums, said the turnaround between shifts can be as little as nine hours. He told MyLondon that drivers feel penalised rather than protected by proposed fatigue-detection cameras, which they fear will be used to discipline them for yawning.

TfL’s response and next steps

Transport for London said it is working with operators to improve schedules and rest facilities. Lorna Murphy, TfL’s Director of Buses, said the agency will trial fatigue-detection technology on buses next year, using cameras to monitor eye movements and head position.

Murphy said: “We’re committed to ensuring that all staff have a fair work schedule, with safe vehicles and access to the rest facilities they need.” TfL has also allocated £500,000 for wellbeing initiatives, including sleep pods, but Unite called the funding “insulting” and said it fails to address the root causes of fatigue.

Residents can submit views on driver welfare to TfL’s bus safety consultation, which remains open until 30 September 2024. The consultation covers fatigue management, vehicle safety, and working conditions for drivers on Barnet routes.