Bus driver fatigue and pressure to arrive on time could be behind serious crashes in the capital, campaigners have warned.

New data has revealed that 86 people died or were seriously injured in London bus crashes in the last three months of 2023-24.

Kathleen Finnegan, who died after being hit by a double-decker bus outside Victoria bus station in January, was among the victims.

Speaking at a press conference this morning (October 9), her next of kin Sally Sivas, hit out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan for saying he had “no concerns around safety” in the wake of the crash.

Kathleen Finnegan died after being hit by a double-decker bus in JanuaryKathleen Finnegan died after being hit by a double-decker bus in January (Image: Metropolitan Police)

She described the comments as “ridiculous and insensitive”, adding that her family continues to wonder if her death could have been prevented.

Sally, alongside other people injured on London’s transport network, has now called for the government to conduct an independent review to ensure TfL addresses safety issues.

She said: “Drivers are reporting issues with fatigue, inadequate toileting and air conditioning in their cabs, and the pressure to cover mileage.

“There are no safety incentives built into the bus contracts. The only incentive for the bus companies is a financial one to be on time.”

She was joined at this morning’s press conference by Sarah Hope, who was injured 14 years ago alongside her daughter in a bus crash in Mortlake that also claimed her mother’s life.

From left to right: Thomas Jervis, Sarah De Lagarde, Sally Sivas and Sarah HopeFrom left to right: Thomas Jervis, Sarah De Lagarde, Sally Sivas and Sarah Hope (Image: Newsquest)

Sarah claimed that did not see how TfL could achieve Vision Zero – the goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from London transport’s network by 2041 – unless something changed.

She is among campaigners to have called on TfL to increase the transparency of its data reporting, claiming incidents “may have been underrepresented”.

A statutory duty of candour, which would force TfL to apologise for incidents and be honest when things have gone wrong, was also recommended by the group.

Sarah de Lagarde, who lost her right leg and arm after being hit by two Tube trains, added that campaigners wanted to reveal what they call the "TfL safety scandal".

Sarah said: “Our findings indicate that the safety issues within TfL are not merely isolated incidents, but are indicative of systemic and institutional failings, stemming from the incompetence at the leadership level.

“It appears that TfL, a public service entity has strayed far from its mission to serve the public, becoming an institution that is rotten to its core.”

She added that the new data shows that London’s transport network is not as safe as the public think.

Lilli Matson, TfL's chief safety, health and environment officer, said: “We are committed to learning from every incident and use a rigorous evidence-based approach to this, using data and incident reports to put in place changes through targeted programmes that make the transport network safer for everyone.

“Accurate reporting and transparency are a vital part of our industry-leading approach to safety, and we are committed to making data publicly available, including through our website.”