London buses are infested with cockroaches, say drivers
London bus drivers have detected a cockroach infestation in some vehicles and are calling on Transport for London (TfL) to resolve the situation.
Cockroach infestations have been reported on many London bus routes, according to the London Bus Forum, with photos and videos showing the pests between seat upholstery and floor panels and in driver rest areas.
Buses on routes 159, 345 and 55 were described as overrun by staff, according to the forum.
A driver on route 159 between Streatham and Oxford Circus even discovered a cockroach in his drink during a break, the forum reported.
“I went to take a sip of my drink and felt something in my mouth,” the driver said. “I spit it out and saw that it was a cockroach. I felt sick and ended up vomiting.”
The bus involved (LT160) was reportedly flagged multiple times due to pest issues. Despite repeated complaints, it was put back into service after passing standard engineering checks each time.
Bus safety campaigners have called for action from transport bosses.
London bus safety campaigner Kevin Mustafa told the BBC: “The current situation is untenable for drivers who already face challenging working conditions. “Swift, transparent and decisive action will go a long way towards restoring trust, ensuring safety and maintaining confidence in London’s bus services.
“London bus drivers report persistent problems with cockroaches and unsanitary conditions in their vehicles. This is not a matter of occasional inconvenience; many drivers are reporting infestations and this is beginning to pose real health, safety and welfare risks.”
Transport for London (TfL) said extensive daily cleaning was carried out across the network and the fleet was treated with the same long-term antibacterial product used on the Tube. Bus garages and rest rooms are treated in a similar way.
There are 675 bus routes served by more than 8,700 buses, mostly operated by private companies under contract to TfL; Approximately five million bus trips are made in the capital every day.
A TfL spokesman said: “We are committed to working with operators to provide a clean environment for staff and customers. Most TfL social facilities are cleaned several times a day, or at least daily, to maintain hygiene and safety standards.
“All buses are cleaned every night before being put into service and such reports are rare. We take any report seriously and investigate specific incidents that arise as a matter of urgency. As with any report, we will take appropriate action as part of the investigation, including taking buses out of service for inspection, deep cleaning and treatment with special equipment if necessary.”
“We would like to reassure our staff that our operators will never take action against anyone who raises welfare or safety concerns and encourage drivers with concerns to contact their employer, their union or us directly.”
A spokesman for the London Bus Forum said: “These cockroach reports are not isolated. They reflect a wider failure to maintain safe and sanitary conditions for bus drivers. This is a public health issue affecting both staff and passengers. That is why drivers will march on 5 November to demand safer working conditions and the adoption of the Bus Drivers Bill of Rights.”
Among other demands, the proposed legislation calls for drivers to be provided with “a safe work schedule without forced overtime or loss of pay”, as well as the right to clean, well-maintained toilet and rest facilities on all routes and the right to accurately report safety concerns without fear of retribution from TfL or other employers.
