Bus drivers ‘can’t wear shorts’

FIRST Bus drivers have been banned from wearing shorts in the heatwave and say being ‘uncomfortably hot’ has made them grumpy with passengers.

Staff say they have been forced by bosses to wear trousers, socks and boots while driving, despite the mercury reaching 34C in many parts of Greater Manchester.

Drivers claim they have asked management to be allowed to wear shorts with their company-issue shirts, but were told where would be no exceptions to official policy.

One Greater Manchester driver, who asked not to be named, told the M.E.N.: “It has been extremely uncomfortable, absolutely roasting. What we don’t understand is that female drivers are allowed to wear skirts - and skirts are the same length as shorts.

“This is exceptional weather so they should make an exception. Just relax the rules - it’s not every summer we have weather like this.

“Everyone is annoyed, we are very hot and very sweaty, we recorded temperatures of 35 degrees in the cab today and there’s no air conditioning.

“You feel soaking wet and it’s exhausting, very draining.

“It makes you ratty so passengers getting on think you’re being grumpy we’re not being grumpy, we’re just hot and bothered.”

Drivers also claim the lack of leniency is a health issue, with many staff suffering blood pressure and heart issues which are exacerbated by the heat. The driver added: “I just had a tiny fan that was neither use nor ornament and a little window.

“Shorts would help us get air to our legs and stop our ankles swelling up.”

Staff also insist they would treat any relaxation of the rules with respect.

“We would come in knee-length navy blue shorts”, our source added. “It’s not like we’re going to turn up in swimming shorts and Hawaiian shirts.”

One driver is reported to have turned up to work in shorts on Tuesday, only to be issued with a pair of company trousers.

He requested to wear a uniform skirt but was told there were none available.

A First Manchester spokeswoman said: “We were approached by some of our drivers this week to ask for shorts to wear, but unfortunately we do not have standard issue shorts as part of the uniform. We did introduce lightweight trousers last year. We always remind our drivers to keep hydrated and to make use of the bus interchanges and canteens available.”