WEU Supports Transport for London Initiative

The Workers of England Union is deeply committed to the welfare of every employee on London’s bus network and is equally concerned about the wellbeing of rough sleepers. By backing the latest Transport for London multi-agency operation, the Union hopes to address both safety and homelessness challenges on the city’s night bus network.

Background to the Operation

Recent media coverage shed light on the growing number of rough sleepers boarding night buses in the capital. In response, Transport for London coordinated a joint effort in Westminster and Redbridge to provide advice, support and temporary shelter options.

Key Objectives

• Engage with rough sleepers, especially along route 25 endpoints.
• Encourage bus drivers to report all instances of rough sleeping.
• Gather intelligence on travel patterns, ticket usage and potential fare evasion.

Locations and Intelligence Gathering

Based on TfL’s data, the 25 route’s terminus at Holles Street (Westminster) and Hainault Street (Redbridge) were identified as hotspots. Staff from the London charity Thames Reach provided on-the-spot guidance and connected rough sleepers to local services for longer-term solutions.

Operational Results

Over the course of the nights, teams boarded 150 buses and identified 28 rough sleepers. The majority accepted support, and notably, all held valid tickets—confirming no fare evasion.

“This operation has given us valuable insights into how rough sleepers travel on buses,” says Lee Vehit, TfL network operations manager. “It will help us better support both drivers and vulnerable passengers moving forward.”

Next Steps

Further operations are planned in other London boroughs to continue offering assistance and improving bus safety. The Workers of England Union will remain closely involved, ensuring members’ health and safety concerns are heard.

Contact the Union

If you have any Health and Safety concerns at work, please get in touch:

Phone: 01206 766 899
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.