Transport for London has set out a series of measures designed to improve safety by tackling bus driver fatigue following the publication of new research.
Half a million pounds will be invested to introduce pioneering solutions that include the introduction of a rigorous fatigue risk management system for all London bus operators, best practice reviews of all driver rosters, training and a greater focus on driver health and wellbeing.
The move follows the publication of a study commissioned by TfL and conducted by Loughborough University and the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) in response to the union Unite’s work to highlight the issue of driver fatigue.
Claire Mann, Director of Bus Operations at TfL, said, “We launched our Bus Safety Programme to eliminate fatalities or serious injury involving buses from our roads. Collision data has so far helped us deliver a safety-focused training course for all drivers and newly designed safer buses.
“This report builds on the issues that Unite raises and allows the whole industry to go one step further. With the evidence from this study, we will require bus operators to have fatigue risk management systems and more formal fatigue training for managers.
“We’re also working with the bus operators and Unite to create a programme to gather ideas for how we can further respond to the report. It is through working together across the industry that we can address this vital issue and make our buses lead the way when it comes to reducing risk on the roads.”
