Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consideration she has given to the wider rollout of air conditioning on buses in response to recent extreme temperatures.

The Government recognises the vital role that bus drivers play in supporting local communities and understands the importance of driver welfare, not only for the health and wellbeing of drivers themselves, but also for the safety of passengers and other road users.

The majority of bus services in England outside London are operated on a commercial basis by private companies, and operators are expected to ensure their employees have access to healthy and safe working conditions.

In addition, the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) Regulations 1981 sets out the requirements for public service vehicles, including buses, in relation to the equipment on board and vehicle specification. These regulations make clear that ‘adequate ventilation shall be provided for passengers and the driver without the necessity for opening any main window or windscreen’. Bus operators are required to ensure their fleet complies with these regulations.