Darren Johnson, Green Party Member of the London Assembly, has urged the Mayor of London to call on TfL to issue health warnings to passengers using New Bus for London vehicles this summer.
Temperatures exceeding 36 degrees have been recorded in recent days by Londoners sat on the upper deck, raising questions over the buses' future in London.
Darren has therefore tabled the following formal written question to the Mayor for the July session of Mayor's Question Time. Mayor Boris Johnson should respond within one week of this meeting.
New Bus for London overheating (2)
Temperatures of 36 degrees and above are being recorded by passengers on the top deck of New Bus for London vehicles. Given that these temperatures could have a serious impact on the health of some passengers, shouldn't TfL be providing advice on this matter, either through posters at bus stops, signs on buses or automated announcements on the buses themselves?
Darren Johnson AM said
“Passengers are really suffering on the top deck of these new buses. Transport for London need to consider issuing official warnings about the health risks of travelling on the New Routemasters on really hot days."
"London is already hotter than the surrounding countryside and there are predictions that this heat island effect is going to get worse in future years unless we take action. Unless we can add some opening windows, these Roastmasters are simply not be fit for the future and will have no place on London’s streets during the summer months in years to come.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Darren Johnson AM is available for further comment
2. Darren produced a Buzzfeed last summer on the New Bus for London: http://bzfd.it/1rDZczc