Bus Driver Shortage Linked to Rise in Fatigue-Related Incidents Across TfL Fleet

An alarming rise in fatigue-related incidents across Transport for London's bus fleet has been directly linked to a chronic driver shortage that unions say is putting passengers and road users at serious risk. Internal TfL safety reports, obtained by London Accident News, reveal that fatigue was cited as a contributing factor in 89 bus incidents in the past twelve months — a 34 per cent increase on the previous year — including three collisions that resulted in serious injuries to pedestrians.

The Scale of the Driver Shortage

TfL's bus network, the largest in western Europe, currently operates with approximately 24,500 drivers across its contracted operators. However, the organisation acknowledges a shortfall of more than 2,800 drivers — a vacancy rate of over 11 per cent. The shortage has forced operators to rely heavily on overtime, with some drivers regularly working six-day weeks and shifts exceeding 12 hours.

Unite the Union's London bus sector convenor, Angela Morrison, said: "Our members are exhausted and they are terrified that they are going to be involved in a serious accident. Drivers are being pressured into working excessive overtime because there simply aren't enough staff to cover the routes. We have documented cases of drivers falling asleep at termini during their rest breaks because they are so fatigued. This is a disaster waiting to happen."

Recent Incidents Raise Alarm

Among the most serious incidents linked to driver fatigue was a collision on the A10 in Tottenham in February, where a Route 76 bus struck a 62-year-old pedestrian on a zebra crossing. The driver, who had been on duty for 11 hours, told investigators he had momentarily lost concentration. The pedestrian suffered a broken hip and pelvis and remains in rehabilitation at the Royal London Hospital.

In another incident in April, a Route 243 bus in Hackney mounted a kerb and struck a bollard after the driver reported feeling dizzy from exhaustion. Fortunately, no pedestrians were in the immediate area. TfL's internal investigation found the driver had worked 58 hours in the preceding six days, well above the recommended maximum of 48 hours under the Working Time Regulations.

TfL Acknowledges Challenges

TfL's Director of Bus Operations, Samuel Osei, acknowledged the driver shortage was "a significant operational challenge" but disputed suggestions that safety was being compromised. "We have robust fatigue management policies in place and we work closely with our bus operators to ensure compliance with all working time regulations," he said. "We are investing heavily in driver recruitment, including a major advertising campaign and improved starting salaries, and we are seeing positive results with recruitment up 18 per cent in the last quarter."

Calls for Systemic Reform

Transport campaigners argue that the driver shortage is a symptom of deeper structural problems in London's privatised bus operating model, where profit margins for contracted operators average just 3-4 per cent, leaving little room for competitive wages. The London Assembly Transport Committee has called for a comprehensive review of bus driver working conditions, pay, and welfare facilities. Committee chair Elly Baker AM said: "London's bus drivers perform an essential public service. If we cannot recruit and retain enough drivers without resorting to dangerous levels of overtime, then the entire operating model needs to be fundamentally reformed."