Archive · 25 Aug 2026
London Bus Drivers Strike Over Heat, Air Conditioning Dispute
About 1,500 London bus drivers are striking because they say their bus cabins become dangerously hot.
They say some cabins can reach 40°C.
Drivers have reported heatstroke, tiredness and near misses while working in the heat.
Their union, Unite, wants proper air conditioning on the buses.
The strike lasts four days and affects more than 40 routes.
More strikes could happen up to mid-October if the disagreement continues.
Arriva says it has already made changes to help drivers stay cool.
Transport for London is advising passengers to plan ahead and check travel updates.
About 1,500 Unite members at Arriva North London began a four-day strike over extreme cab temperatures.
Drivers say bus compartments can reach 40°C, contributing to heatstroke, fatigue and near-miss incidents.
More than 40 London routes are expected to face disruption during the walkout.
Unite wants full air conditioning installed across Arriva’s fleet and has planned ten additional strike days through mid-October.
Arriva says it has agreed to every demand raised by Unite officials, introduced heat measures and is upgrading air conditioning.
- Who
- About 1,500 Unite union members working for Arriva North London are striking; Arriva and Transport for London are involved in the dispute.
- What
- Drivers are taking industrial action over extreme temperatures in bus cabs and the lack of full air conditioning.
- When
- The strike began Tuesday and is scheduled to last four days, with ten further strike days planned through mid-October.
- Where
- The affected services operate across London, particularly from garages in north and east London.
- Why
- Drivers say air-cooling systems do not sufficiently reduce temperatures and that the heat creates health and safety risks.
Drivers and Unite
Arriva London
Cab temperatures
Drivers and Unite
Drivers say bus compartments can reach 40°C and that the conditions have caused heatstroke, fatigue and near misses.
Arriva London
Arriva says it has introduced measures this summer to help staff cope with heat and is continuing air-conditioning upgrades.
Proposed solution
Drivers and Unite
Unite wants full air conditioning installed across the fleet and says the current air-cooling systems reduce temperatures by only a few degrees.
Arriva London
Arriva says it has reached agreement with Unite officials on every demand and that longer-term solutions are being developed through a Transport for London extreme-weather task force.
Strike action
Drivers and Unite
Unite says action will continue, with ten more strike dates planned, until meaningful changes are made.
Arriva London
Arriva says it is disappointed the strike is going ahead and notes that five of its eight north London garages did not vote in favour of industrial action.
- Striking workers
- Around 1,500 Unite members
- Employer
- Arriva North London
- Initial strike length
- Four days from Tuesday
- Reported cab temperature
- Up to 40°C
- Affected services
- More than 40 London bus routes
- Further action
- Ten additional strike days planned through mid-October
- Main union demand
- Full air conditioning across the fleet
- Arriva’s response
- The company says heat measures are in place and air-conditioning upgrades are ongoing