First Bus will allow drivers to ditch their uniforms in the coming days as a heatwave brings sweltering temperatures to the UK.
Drivers working for the bus firm will be able to dress down ahead of the high temperatures over the next few days, as the mercury is set.to hit close to 40C in the next two days. The decision has been made to ensure drivers are cool enough to work in their cabs and keep the transport network moving.
The bus operator relaxed the uniform rules for drivers from today, Sunday July 17, until Tuesday, when the worst of the hot weather is set to hit, to allow staff to be "more comfortable", according to BristolLive. So far, the decision has only been publicised by their West of England team, so it's not yet clear whether this change is national or only across that region.
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An amber weather warning is currently in place across most of the UK for "extreme heat", with a red weather warning due to come into effect from tomorrow across part of the country, including Manchester, as temperatures are set to soar to 35C on Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures on Tuesday could be potentially record-breaking for the country, with the previous hottest day in Manchester recorded as 33.7C in the summer of 1976, when the region had a particularly warm spell of weather.
In a tweet this morning, First Bus West of England advised: "Due to the Amber Weather Warning Alert between Sunday and Tuesday we have relaxed our driver uniform standards to allow them to be more comfortable during the hot weather. If you are travelling please ensure you carry water with you during these hot days."
Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse warned transport services face "significant disruption" due to the heatwave, urging people to stay at home and avoid travelling on Monday and Tuesday. Transport for Greater Manchester advised people against travelling during the heatwave unless absolutely necessary.
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On Monday and Tuesday, the Metrolink will run a 12 minute schedule of double trams, which will be travelling at lower speeds due to the risk of rail tracks buckling in the heat, to try and provide a reliable service for passengers. People using public transport have been advised to leave extra time for journeys, carry water and a fan where possible, and look out for other passengers during the hot weather.
Drivers need to check their tyres before setting off, keep a pair of sunglasses with them, and keep an eye on their engine temperatures as well as having plenty of water in the car too. Cyclists and pedestrians have been encouraged to avoid travelling between 11am-3pm, the hottest parts of the day, and stay in the shade, wear sun cream, and keep hydrated.
Sean Dyball, Head of Customer Experience at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “It’s great to see the sun shining in Greater Manchester, but the extreme heat we are set to experience over the next few days can have a serious impact on both transport services and people’s health. Due to the extremely high temperatures expected, we are advising people not to travel during next week’s heatwave – on Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July - unless it is necessary.
"If you do need to travel during the heatwave, please make sure you take plenty of water with you to stay hydrated and also allow extra time for your journey – just in case there are any delays on the roads or on the public transport networks. I’d also call on passengers to keep an eye out for more vulnerable travellers and offer people a seat if you see them struggling in the hot weather.”
The amber warning is in place now, until 11.59pm on Tuesday, whilst a red weather warning will come into effect at midnight to cover Monday and Tuesday, ending at the same time as the amber warning. The red warning will predominantly cover the western side of Greater Manchester, with some of the far easterly areas avoiding the hottest temperatures expected.
"Population-wide" health effects are expected during the heatwave, with "substantial" changes to daily life required. There's also an increased chance of people visiting bodies of open water, leading to a higher risk of water safety incidents. People have been urged to stay out of open water, and avoid jumping into any bodies of open water, due to the dangerous nature of the area.
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