Unite Condemns TfL’s £500,000 Fatigue Programme for London Bus Drivers

Unite has criticised Transport for London (TfL) over what it describes as an ineffective response to the growing issue of bus driver fatigue, arguing that a series of wellbeing initiatives have failed to address the underlying causes of the problem.

The union’s comments follow the release of information obtained through a Freedom of Information request, which revealed how TfL allocated £500,000 towards projects intended to improve driver fatigue management and wellbeing.

The funding was made available after a 2019 study by Loughborough University examined fatigue among London bus drivers. In response, TfL launched a ‘fatigue, health and wellbeing bus safety innovation challenge’, supporting ten separate initiatives, eight of which focused directly on fatigue-related issues.

According to Unite, while the projects have since been introduced across depots and bus operations, they have done little to tackle the working conditions that contribute to driver exhaustion.

Among the schemes funded was Compass, a programme designed to offer emotional support and wellbeing guidance to drivers, alongside educational resources covering health and fatigue management.

Other measures included the installation of specialist rest pods at Metroline’s Willesden depot. The sleep pods, which cost more than £10,000 each, were intended to provide drivers with a quiet space to rest between duties. However, Unite claims the facilities proved unpopular and are no longer being used for their intended purpose.

Technology-based solutions were also trialled, including an eye-monitoring fatigue detection system that could identify signs of tiredness and trigger seat vibrations to alert drivers. The system has since been removed from service.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said the initiatives failed to address the realities facing drivers on a daily basis.

"These initiatives are insulting. Bus drivers are being overworked to the point of extreme fatigue by the bus companies. Making them watch videos on wellbeing or take a nap in a cupboard in their depot won’t cure the problem."

She argued that fatigue should be treated as a workplace issue rather than an individual responsibility.

"Fatigue is very serious and is caused by long hours, terrible shift patterns and the poor workplace conditions experienced by bus workers every day. It is time this issue was treated with the importance it deserves. Anything less will not be accepted."

The union’s criticism comes alongside findings from a recent survey of bus drivers, which found that around one-third of respondents believe fatigue has become significantly worse since 2019.

Unite argues that many of the measures introduced focus on helping drivers manage tiredness rather than addressing factors that contribute to it.

These include insufficient recovery time between shifts, scheduling arrangements that can result in unplanned overtime, concerns about disciplinary action when fatigue is reported, and inadequate welfare facilities.

Regional Officer Nadine Edwards said the initiatives had failed to deliver meaningful change.

"Simply put, TfL's response was pathetic. It is unsurprising that bus drivers have told us the problems with fatigue have become worse when the initiatives put in place essentially blamed workers rather than the bus companies who created the issue in the first place."

She also called for greater action from both TfL and the Mayor of London.

"TfL and Sadiq Khan must protect drivers and the general public. It is only by implementing Unite's demands that the issue of fatigue will be properly dealt with."

The criticism forms part of Unite’s recently launched ‘Fight Fatigue Now’ campaign, which is pressing transport operators, TfL and City Hall to introduce stronger protections for bus drivers.

Among the union’s proposals are the introduction of formal fatigue management measures across the London bus network, including an end to disciplinary action against drivers who report fatigue-related concerns.

Unite is also seeking greater consistency in scheduling and rostering practices, including minimum 12-hour breaks between duties and more predictable shift start times to reduce fatigue caused by irregular working patterns.

The campaign further calls for investment in welfare infrastructure, with the union citing research that found more than half of London bus drivers believe workplace facilities are inadequate. Unite says some drivers continue to take breaks at roadside locations due to a lack of suitable rest facilities.

As concerns around driver wellbeing and operational safety continue to grow, the debate highlights wider questions about how fatigue is managed across the capital’s bus network and whether current measures go far enough to support frontline staff.