Campaign for Bus Drivers' Toilet Facilities

Back in 2007, bus drivers from across London were encouraged to join a protest march that began at Victoria Coach Station and planned to visit several key areas of the capital. The aim was to highlight the distinct lack of toilet facilities available to drivers on their routes—a problem that was far from new even then.

Council Closures Worsen the Situation

In recent years, a swathe of councils decided to close publicly accessible toilets, making the issue increasingly problematic for any driver unfortunate enough to need a pit stop. Despite a few token acknowledgements from TfL and vague sympathy from private bus companies in 2007, little was done to address the core problem.

Continuing Challenges: From “Toilet Tax” to Public Apathy

Fast forward to 2014, and Parliament discussed the concept of “toilet tax” (the unlawful deduction of wages for time spent in the loo). Yet for bus drivers, recognition of the need for adequate toilet stops has been kicked into the long grass. No real advocate has emerged to force major bus operators to act, and the average Londoner remains unaware of the ongoing crisis.

Why a Champion Is Needed Now

It’s hard to believe anyone in 21st-century London would deny another human—or even an animal—the right to toilet access. What’s lacking is a powerful figure to push for change. That’s why the Workers of England Union has taken the issue to newly installed Mayor Sadiq Khan, whose father spent 25 years as a bus driver.

With his media profile and history of promoting capital-wide improvements, Khan is ideally placed to address the potty situation of bus drivers’ toilet facilities. Backed by the Mayor of London, it would be impossible for TfL and major bus companies to continue ignoring the problem.

Next Steps

We will keep our members updated on Mayor Khan’s response and any progress toward ensuring that every bus driver in London has reliable, freely accessible toilet facilities on their routes. Stay tuned for further news and calls to action.