Bus drivers feel the heat with ties row

Sweltering bus drivers have been told they must wait for permission before taking off their ties during Scotland’s heatwave.

Drivers for Lothian Buses have been ordered to wait for a radio message from their control centre before they can dump the neckwear.

One 47-year-old driver said: “There’s no air conditioning and we are absolutely roasting. The bus drivers are sweating. Sometimes there is sweat on the seats when we hand over.”

Word that drivers could remove their ties came through at 1pm yesterday – by which time temperatures had peaked at 25C.

Lothian bosses said the new guidelines were introduced to help boost “excellent customer service” after talks with trade unions.

But the driver said: “From May to September, drivers have been allowed to take off their ties. For years we have been able to – but not now. There is nothing we can do. We drive for four hours and then get a 30-minute or one-hour break. Then we’re back on the road.”

A Lothian Buses spokesman said: “In unusually warm or cold conditions we have agreed policies in place with our trade unions where we can adjust our uniform policy to suit, which we followed.”