DISCOMFORT and heat exhaustion have been among the complaints from a passenger using buses in the current high temperatures.

However, it is not just the weather that is causing passengers to feel the heat, as claims have been made that drivers of Stagecoach buses have been driving with their heaters on.

One resident, who wish to remain unnamed, told the Gazette that his daily journey on the number 13 bus from Basingstoke to Liphook has been unbearable with the temperatures reaching as high as 32°C.

He said: “I have never felt this uncomfortable. I couldn’t believe it that some of the windows were closed and it was hotter than a sauna.

“When I realised the heater was on I asked the driver to turn it off and his response was they couldn’t as it was part of how the bus ran.”

The 66-year-old told the Gazette when he raised the issue with the driver he did not get much of a response saying “it was as if I just had to deal with it.”

He said that because of the heat on the vehicle being so bad he nearly passed out exiting the bus. Over the weekend temperatures reached 33 °C.

He added: “When I stepped off the bus getting to my stop I nearly feel over and passed out it was that hot.”

Stagecoach said that the heat inside its vehicles is due to the current weather conditions and the air circulating within their vehicles is not from heaters but the windows which are opened for journeys to allow air in and out of the bus.

A spokesman from Stagecoach said: “We specify the maximum number of opening windows, tinted glazing and‘forced air ventilation’ on our buses. The latter keeps fresh ambient air moving through the bus, which prevents the air becoming too close and stagnant.

“Forced air ventilation doesn’t cool the air, like air conditioning, and can only circulate the available air. As the ambient temperature is currently around 30°C then this is the temperature of the air being circulated. This may feel to a customer that the air is being heated but the only heat has come from the sun.

“We would advise customers to always carry water and keep hydrated when travelling with us during this period of exceptionally high temperatures.”