London buses infested with cockroaches say drivers
A cockroach under a London bus seat
- Published
Many buses in London are infested with cockroaches according to drivers, who want the issue resolved immediately.
Drivers say a number of buses and their rest areas are infested with cockroaches and say the insects need eradicating.
Images and video sent to BBC London show cockroaches on buses and in eating areas. In one video, filmed on 8 October, cockroaches can be seen in a driver's food container in the rest area.
Bus safety campaigners have written to transport bosses highlighting the problem. Transport for London (TfL) says such instances are rare and it has launched an urgent investigation.
A cockroach on a London bus
Kevin Mustafa, a London bus safety campaigner, said: "The current state is untenable for drivers who already face demanding working conditions. Swift, transparent and decisive action will go a long way toward restoring trust, ensuring safety, and maintaining public confidence in London's bus services.
"London bus drivers are reporting persistent issues with cockroaches and unsanitary conditions onboard their vehicles. This is not a matter of occasional nuisance — many drivers describe infestations, and the situation is starting to pose real health, safety and wellbeing risks."
A cockroach on a piece of official TfL documentation
Campaigners want a deep clean of all buses more frequently, and the use of insecticidal treatments, heat treatments, improved vacuuming and sealed barriers in known hotspots.
Drivers also want pest-control measures put in place.
The London Bus Forums group said: "The cockroach reports are not isolated. They point to a wider failure to maintain safe and clean conditions for bus drivers.
"This is a public health issue affecting both staff and passengers. That's why drivers will be marching on 5 November to demand safer conditions and the adoption of the Bus Drivers Bill of Rights."
Images sent to BBC London show examples of cockroaches on London buses
About five million bus journeys are made every day in the capital. There are 675 bus routes served by over 8,700 buses, almost all of which are operated by private companies under contract to Transport for London.
Video sent to BBC London shows cockroaches moving in the bus footwell
A TfL spokesperson said: "We are committed to working together with operators to provide a clean environment for staff and customers.
"Most TfL welfare facilities are cleaned multiple times a day, and at a minimum daily, to maintain hygiene and safety standards. All buses are also cleaned every night before entering service and reports such as these are rare.
"We take any report seriously and are urgently investigating the specific incidents that have been raised.
"As with any reports, we will take appropriate action as part of the investigation, which can include taking buses out of service for inspection, deep cleans and treatment with specialist equipment if necessary.
"We would like to reassure staff that our operators would never take action against people raising concerns about welfare or safety and encourage any driver with concerns to contact their employer, their union, or contact us directly."