Unite the union has warned that the new sound chosen for London’s electric buses creates dangers for road users and pedestrians as it sounds nothing like a traditional bus.
News
New London electric bus sound could pose dangers, warns Unite
The sound which is being trailed in January has been described as sounding “like a spaceship”. It is argued that an artificial sound is necessary as electric buses are very quiet and so can potentially cause dangers for blind and partially sighted pedestrians.
Unite were initially consulted last year on some potential sounds for London buses but firmly rejected the one’s suggested as they did not sound like a bus.
No further consultation took place and Unite which represents over 20,000 London bus drivers was not aware that the “spaceship” sound would begin to be trialled this month.
Unite says sounds being trialled on electric buses sound like a spaceship and will confuse people. Photograph: iStock
Unite lead officer for London buses John Murphy said: “Unite recognises that it is imperative that the new electric buses make a clearly audible sound for safety reasons. However we believe that the sound chosen is potentially dangerous as it sounds nothing like a bus."
Unite points out that today people are increasingly distracted when walking, due to the use of electronic devices, making it is essential that there is a "clear and obvious sound of a London bus".
“If people hear the spaceship sound they won’t think ‘bus’ and could place themselves unintentionally in danger," continued Murphy.
“Unite is also concerned that drivers have not been widely consulted about the new sound and there are potential concerns about whether they will find it distracting or if it will affect their health," he added.
Unite has written to urge Transport for London to pause the rollout of the new sound, undertake a wider consultation with all stakeholders and agree a sound like a bus.
NEWS
Climate change could expose 70 per cent of workers to health risks, warns UN
By Kerry Reals on 22 April 2024
More than 70 per cent of the global workforce could be exposed to serious health hazards because of climate change, and existing occupational health and safety legislation may not be sufficient to protect workers, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Calls for wellbeing focus intensify as UK economic inactivity rate rises further
By Kerry Reals on 16 April 2024
The number of working-age people in the UK who are neither employed nor looking for a job rose again in the December to February period, prompting calls for more investment in training and a greater focus on the health and wellbeing of the nation.
Water workers abused and assaulted as public anger about sewage leaks rises: GMB
By Kerry Reals on 16 April 2024
More than a third of water workers in the UK have been verbally abused at work by members of the public in the last 12 months, with just over half attributing the rise in abuse to reports of sewage being dumped, according to a recent survey carried out by the GMB union.