A London bus driver recounts a harrowing encounter with cockroaches crawling onto his hand, shedding light on a wider crisis of neglect, health hazards, and safety risks plaguing the city’s bus network amidst calls for systemic reform.
A London bus driver has recounted a harrowing encounter with a cockroach crawling onto his hand while waiting at traffic lights, an incident that has become emblematic of the broader disgrace plaguing the city’s public transport system. Dylan Carroll, who operates the 20 route from Walthamstow to Loughton and is a vocal advocate for bus drivers’ rights, highlighted how this unsettling moment underscores the glaring failures of Transport for London (TfL) and their contractors to provide a clean, safe working environment. This incident is not isolated; it is a stark reflection of a systemic neglect that puts both workers and passengers at risk.
Recent protests, including a march from Islington Green to TfL’s headquarters in Southwark on November 5th, have exposed the extent of the crisis. Drivers demanded the enforcement of a “bill of rights” within TfL contracts to combat the appalling conditions they face daily, particularly the endemic cockroach infestations, which are symptoms of the broader dereliction of duty by private contractors and TfL leadership alike. These infestations, linked to inadequate deep cleaning regimens, threaten not only hygiene but also public health.
Reports from multiple garages, including Battersea and Leyton, reveal cockroaches crawling across bus seats, floors, and rest areas, premises that should be safe and sanitary. Drivers, some of whom have found cockroaches in their drinks, have shared disturbing images and videos exposing the severity of the infestation. Instead of prioritising passenger and driver safety, TfL has downplayed these incidents, claiming they are rare and that buses receive nightly cleanings. But reality paints a different picture, one of neglect, where drivers are left to deal with upgrading safety standards themselves.
This neglect extends far beyond pest control. Drivers are subjected to grueling schedules that leave them exhausted and more prone to accidents. With only ten hours’ rest between shifts, many have flagged an alarming rise in bus-related collisions. In 2024, a disturbing spike saw 13 fatalities and serious injuries involving London buses, the highest in over a decade, raising serious questions about the safety of both drivers and the public. These figures are no coincidence; they are a direct consequence of an industry prioritising profit over people, undermining standards that should be sacrosanct.
Campaigners point out that the crisis is compounded by the continued sidelining of bus services, which serve the vast majority of Londoners, by TfL’s apparent focus on the underground, a move that has led to underfunding and undermaintenance of the bus network. Many drivers, like former operator Kevin Mustafa, describe an “institutionally unsafe” system where tired drivers and poorly maintained vehicles are the norm, not the exception. The current government’s approach of outsourcing and austerity only deepens this crisis, leaving the frontline staff to contend with dangerous working conditions and the decline of a vital transport network.
The push for a ‘bill of rights’ backed by over 27,000 signatures illustrates a growing frustration that TfL’s management remains deaf to the urgent needs of those who keep London moving. Nothing highlights the failure more starkly than the unchecked infestation problem and the dangerous work schedules that jeopardise both safety and quality of service. If anything, it reveals a government and leadership that place corporate interests above the dignity and wellbeing of workers and commuters alike.
For a city that claims to be world-class, London’s transport system is shamefully underwhelming, plagued by neglect, exploitation, and public health hazards. The ongoing crisis demands more than empty promises; it calls for real accountability, proper funding, and a complete overhaul of how, and who, runs our buses. Anything less is a disgrace.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports a recent incident involving a London bus driver encountering a cockroach, with a protest planned for November 5th. Similar reports of cockroach infestations on London buses have emerged in October 2025, with drivers demanding urgent action. ([feeds.bbci.co.uk](https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/cwynyq3vv34o?utm_source=openai)) The protest date aligns with the narrative’s timeline, indicating freshness. However, the specific details of the driver’s experience and the protest are not found in earlier reports, suggesting originality.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from the bus driver describing the incident: ‘I went to take a sip from my drink and felt something in my mouth.’ This exact quote does not appear in earlier reports, indicating originality. The wording is consistent with the driver’s experience as reported in other sources.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a local news outlet, mylondon.news, which is part of the Reach plc network. While Reach plc is a reputable organisation, the specific outlet’s credibility is less established compared to major national media. The report includes direct quotes and specific details, enhancing its reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative describes a plausible incident of a bus driver encountering a cockroach, with subsequent protests planned for November 5th. Similar reports of cockroach infestations on London buses have emerged in October 2025, with drivers demanding urgent action. ([feeds.bbci.co.uk](https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/news/articles/cwynyq3vv34o?utm_source=openai)) The protest date aligns with the narrative’s timeline, indicating consistency. The specific details of the driver’s experience and the protest are not found in earlier reports, suggesting originality.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents a recent and original account of a London bus driver encountering a cockroach, with a protest planned for November 5th. The specific details and direct quotes are not found in earlier reports, indicating originality. The source is from a reputable organisation, and the claims are plausible and consistent with other reports of similar incidents.
