A London bus driver has spoken out against Mayor Sadiq Khan, alleging that she and her colleagues were compelled to work in unacceptably hot conditions during the 2026 heatwaves, despite the mayor's public statements that Transport for London (TfL) workers would be permitted to refuse driving vehicles if cabin temperatures became too high.
Antonia Pugh-Thomas, a former couture dressmaker, resigned from her position as a bus driver after experiencing severe discomfort and witnessing colleagues fall ill due to the heat. She stated that TfL and Mayor Khan had claimed all buses were equipped with either air conditioning or air cooling systems. However, Pugh-Thomas reported that many vehicles lacked functioning air conditioning, leading to cabin temperatures reaching as high as 43 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit). She described the situation as drivers being told to drink water, yet still sweating profusely, with driver seats becoming sodden from sweat.
During one of the city's heatwaves, Pugh-Thomas attempted to refuse driving a bus with a broken air conditioning unit, only to be told she had no alternative but to operate the vehicle to "maintain the service." She was informed that the unit was fitted with "air cooling," which she clarified is a system that circulates hot air rather than lowering the temperature. This experience, she said, left her shocked by the backlash received for questioning the policy.
Records indicate that London experienced four heatwaves in 2026, with temperatures reaching 35.1C in May and 38C in June. The duration of consecutive 30C-plus heatwaves also surpassed the previous record set in 1976. Pugh-Thomas reported that some colleagues became so ill from the heat that they vomited, with some cabs described as "hotter than the Sahara."
Social media platforms showed videos of drivers attempting to cool down during journeys, including one instance where a driver exited a cab registering 36.8C to be doused with water by passengers. In that video, the driver questioned Mayor Khan about the temperature in his office.
Pugh-Thomas stated that despite the mayor's claims of having addressed the issue directly with TfL, the working conditions for drivers did not improve.