Research by Unite the union has found over half of UK bus routes have no toilets available for drivers. Unite undertook the research to mark World Toilet Day by looking at 420 routes operated by FirstBus, Stagecoach, Arriva, Lothian Buses, National Express, Plymouth Buses, Translink, Coastliner and Go-Ahead.

It found that 222 out of the 420 routes did not have any toilets during the route. Meanwhile, 138 have no bathroom facilities at the end of the route and 77 don’t have any at the beginning. On 155 routes there were no procedures in place for drivers who needed to access toilets on route. This is despite the fact under UK employment law, employers must provide ‘adequate’ toilet facilities for everyone in the workplace, including those with disabilities.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“These findings show a complete failure when it comes to providing decent toilet facilities for bus drivers.

“It is outrageous that the majority of routes do not have toilets. The right to a toilet at work is a basic human one and should be a given for all workers. Bus companies know what they should be doing but are ignoring the welfare of their drivers.”

Toilet dignity is a major problem for bus drivers, with many saying they have been ‘caught short’ at work and have had to urinate in bottles, bags or in public, putting them at risk of disciplinary action.

Others have said they have been on the receiving end of passenger aggression after stopping the bus to find a toilet.

Further information:

UK bus drivers’ demand for dignity on November World Toilet Day – Highways News