Thread by @comadad

"Vision Zero & Bus Drivers" Former Bus Driver Lorraine Robertson letter to @LondonAssembly #AssemblyTransport Chair @CarolinePidgeon cc @KeithPrinceAM @ellyannab @JoanneMcCartney @unmeshdesai @anne_clarke @ShaunBaileyUK @NeilGarratt @NJROnline @sianberry saferoxfordstreet.blogspot.com/2022/01/vision…

"I am grateful for being invited to speak to the London Assembly Transport Committee on 14 December 2021 as part of its Investigation of the Mayor’s Vision Zero Programme."

"Further to my testimony, I believe the Transport Committee should consider making the following recommendations to ensure that the @MayorofLondon #VisionZeroLDN goals are incorporated into Bus Driving in London."

"1. Investigate Bus Controller Instructions to Bus Drivers I believe the timeliness & mileage targets @TfL incorporates into its contracts w Bus Operators create incentives for Bus Controllers to pressure Bus Drivers to choose achieving these contract targets over safe operation"

I urge the Transport Committee to recommend to the @MayorofLondon that—for every Bus Safety Incident—@TfL be obligated to investigate the last instructions given by the Bus Controller to the Bus Driver."

"2. Strip Unite the Union of its position as London’s only recognised Bus Drivers’ union. IMO @unitetheunion long-standing & direct affiliation w @UKLabour—& w Mayor @SadiqKhan especially—has meant Bus Drivers’ concerns are not adequately represented to Bus Operators & @TfL"

"While Fatigue—an issue I raised repeatedly during my testimony—is just one lethal result of Bus Drivers’ concerns not being taken seriously by their only recognised Union, I could add many others, e.g."

"Lack of Toilets: In 20th C London, it is incomprehensible to me that guaranteed 24-7 toilet facilities are not available for Bus Drivers at all termini of all London Bus Routes."

"If @TfL Commissioner Byford tells you they are available, then he is—frankly—either misinformed or deliberately misinforming"

"Lack of Rest Facilities: Fatigue is compounded by Bus Drivers being forced to spend all of their unpaid 40-minute break during a typical 12-hour working day searching for a place to rest that’s dry, warm (or cool) and clean"

"Lack of Air Conditioning or Heat in Bus Cabs: Bus Drivers are regularly forced to drive in hot or freezing cab conditions that would be deemed unsuitable for transporting livestock."

"These dangerous deficiencies have been reported by Bus Drivers to @unitetheunion Reps for decades w no appreciable result. I urge the Transport Committee to recommend to @MayorofLondon that @TfL strip @UniteLondonEast of its position as London Bus Drivers’ only recognised union"

3. Investigate London Buses’ Safety Culture

"I was only able to speak out in person on 14 December because, as you know, I recently retired: I believe that any presently-employed Bus Driver who had spoken as openly as I did would have been fired."

"I urge the Transport Committee to recommend to @MayorofLondon that @TfL conduct an Independent Audit—similar to its @lborouniversity Fatigue Report—of the Safety Culture of its Contracted Bus Operation..."

"with a special focus on the systemic barriers which discourage [@TfL] Bus Drivers from reporting their long-standing safety concerns."

"Once again, thank you for inviting me to give testimony on 14 December 2021. I will be following the Transport Committee’s investigation closely and would welcome the opportunity to testify again." — Lorraine Robertson