A Lothian bus driver has hit out at the company, claiming staff are encouraged to pack passengers on buses - despite a need for social distancing.
It comes as Edinburgh Live previously reported pictures had emerged of an overcrowded Lothian Bus, with a local woman forced to "push past" people to get off.
A driver, who has asked to remain anonymous, claimed management still actively encourages drivers to fill buses to standing capacity and insisted drivers are not "choosing" to do this.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, he said: "We are actively encouraged by management to fill our buses to a standing capacity, that also includes the 100-seat three-axle buses.
"We are told to carry a full seated load of passengers. We are not choosing this."
The employee added that there is growing frustration among staff, who worked on the frontline by continuing to transport passengers during lockdown.
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He added: "Friends and colleagues are being forced out the door due to management refusing to honour previous flexible working agreements to help with childcare or care for sick family members and using the whole pandemic as an excuse for it."
"In the first few months this was understandable but with more services and buses introduced this is now inexcusable as there is plenty of work to help these folks out," he continued.
Last year, the firm's drivers voted to take strike action during the Edinburgh Fringe following a long-running dispute with management over bullying and harassment.
The strike was called off last minute after company bosses were forced to draw up new proposals, following a failed deal, which focused on improving workplace culture.
The driver revealed staff are "extremely worried" that last year's threatened strike action "seems to have been forgotten".
Edinburgh Live has contacted Lothian Buses for comment.
