‘Grumpy’ bus drivers cheer up after shorts ban is lifted
ABUS company has overturned its ban on drivers wearing shorts in the heatwave.
Staff at First Bus say they were forced by bosses to wear trousers, socks and boots while driving, despite temperatures reaching 34C in many parts of Greater Manchester.
One Greater Manchester driver, who asked not to be named, told how the policy was making staff ‘ratty and grumpy’.
He said: “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 claimed that the lack of leniency was a health issue, with many members of 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.”
One driver is reported to have turned up to work in shorts last 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.
Speaking at the time at First Manchester spokeswoman said despite being approached by staff asking to wear shorts ‘unfortunately we do not have standard issue shorts as part of the uniform’.
But now bosses at First Bus have relented and agreed to let staff wear shorts.
Adrian Worsfold, the operations director at First Manchester: “In light of the continued warmer weather we have amended our driver uniform policy to allow drivers to wear shorts, if they wish to do so.”