Last updated 1st July 2024
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| The presence of transport enthusiasts at the New Routemaster launch day on February 27th 2012. Photo by TfL Press |
I've been reading some reports by enthusiasts on social media that they are not allowed to take photos or videos inside train stations or even in public areas outside of railway property as they take photos or videos of buses and trams.
I’m not saying anything negative about the transport staff and their management; the whole purpose of this article is to educate on the encouragement and importance of transport enthusiasts, which includes bus spotting and railfan/train spotting.
I believe that transport enthusiasts are one of the biggest promoters of public transport. As they take photos or videos of public transport to share on social media, in which they are helping to promote public transport travel, as this is one of the vital methods to help tackle climate change and pollution by reducing car usage, with encouragement to use public transport to travel. This includes infrastructure, station architecture, signs, buses, trains, trams, and light rail vehicles, whether old or new, as they are seen in passenger service or not.
Transport enthusiasts provide extra eyes and ears for transport staff and the police to detect, report incidents, and capture evidence of incidents using their smartphones, cameras, or other devices. Transport enthuaists can also be helpful for staff and engineers by finding information about the bus or train fleet.
Transport enthusiasts can also be helpful to activists in finding information and helping improve the transport system. I’m also an activist because last year I volunteered on Twitter/X with the campaign to save the One Day Travelcard, to retain ticket offices at railway stations, which both have been successful, and to raise a point about overseas visitors unable to use the internet on their smartphones due to expensive roaming fees for their home country’s mobile network service.
Technology has changed very much in the past decades; now we have the convenience of taking photos or videos using a smartphone to share on social media.
Not only transport enthusiasts take photos or videos of the vehicles, rolling stock, or infrastructure, They play simulation games, purchase model buses, model trains, merchandise such as clothing (with London Underground branding), toys, books, and many more. They also do activities such as bus and train preservation, running days and tours using vintage buses and trains, tours at disused stations, events, presentations, ticket collecting, equipment, and many more to promote the history and heritage of public transport.
I do acknowledge there are other transport interests, such as cars, trucks, and maritime enthusiasts. There’s also a presence of ‘car spotters’ in various parts of the west end of Central London, where they capture video or take photos of expensive supercars. Some also own and preserve vintage cars, trucks, etc. to promote the history of the vehicles. There are also hobbies that are outside of the transport sector, which include sports, nature, photography, etc.
Public transport is an asset to the economy; it enables people to travel to where they need to go, such as work, appointments, leisure, visiting family members and friends, etc., without the need to drive, which helps to reduce traffic congestion and also helps to combat climate change by reducing pollution. Not everyone has to be an enthusiast to feature public transport infrastructure on their social media and websites. Some people take ‘selfies’ next to the roundel sign at the London Underground station.
It is also part of the Critical National Infrastructure, as classified by the UK’s National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).
During November 2023, Transport for London (TfL) collaborated with Google to provide 360-degree images inside of around thirty Tube stations, including Green Park, King’s Cross St Pancras and Waterloo, to provide virtual representations of some of London’s busiest stations. This is beneficial for the disabled and overseas tourists as they learn how to navigate various London Underground stations.
#TfL Press Release:#Transport for #London collaborates with #Google to bring Street View into some of London’s busiest stationshttps://t.co/QT4TIHRNHN https://t.co/ueCT39YXL8 pic.twitter.com/CVvwqSmSGS
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) November 7, 2023
My friend ‘CityTransportInfo’ on Twitter/X has a webpage with information for people trying to ‘railfan’ the transport system in London, which includes the type of ticket to use, which is the One Day Travelcard, due to limits on Pay As You Go on Oyster and contactless payment, in which I already detailed the issue in my previous article.
In my opinion, enthusiasts volunteering to promote public transport could help reduce TfL’s expenditure on advertising, which could potentially include designing posters and advertisements for them.
During the financial years April 2022 and March 2023, TfL's expenditure for advertising was £9,609,037.03. Here are the full details found on TfL’s Freedom of Information section of their website.
Request ID: FOI-1529-2324
Date published: 06 September 2023
The expenditure supports a wide range of transport services and related activities, including essential public transport and road safety messages, fares and ticketing messages and improvements to public transport, messaging to encourage the use of public transport and active travel (cycling and walking) and to explain how road user charging works.
To put the expenditure between 2016 and 2023 into context, the expenditure during the preceding year of April 2015-March 2016 was £14,591,151.85 so from April 2016 onwards the expenditure has significantly decreased. There was also a significant decrease in expenditure in the period April 2020 - March 2021 due to the pandemic where messaging focussed on conveying how to use the public transport network in line with Government guidelines. In response to the pandemic, expenditure increased in FY 2021/2022 where there was a need to support the public transport recovery of ridership post the pandemic and supporting the launch of the Elizabeth Line and the implementation of the Ultra Low Emission zone.
Request ID: FOI-2242-2324
Date published: 12 October 2023
Question 1: What amount did Transport for London spend on social media advertising in the period 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023?
Answer: TfL has spent the following on social media advertising:
April 2020 - March 2021: £187,268
April 2021 - March 2022: £330,102
April 2022 - March 2023: £199,136
April 2023 – August 2023: £267,249
Here is another Freedom of Information request about TfL’s expenditurefor posters.
Request ID: FOI-3167-2324
Date published: 29 December 2023
Posters are a key way we communicate with customers and raising awareness of key information, particularly where the information being conveyed impacts a large number of people who use our network. Posters can also provide important details on how to contact us so that we can receive feedback inform our decision making on future projects, programs and policies for London’s transport. The expenditure detailed below supports a wide range of transport services and related activities including essential public transport and road safety messages, fares and ticketing messages, and improvements to public transport messaging to encourage the use of public transport which is helping TfL’s ridership recover to pre-pandemic levels, and to share vital information with Londoner’s on TfL’s road user charging schemes such as the Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone.
FY 2021/22
Apr 21 – Mar 22
Media cost: £1,304,309.87
Number of master advertising poster designs produced: 85
FY 2022/23
Apr 22 – Mar 23
Media cost: £1,222,176.44
Number of master advertising poster designs produced: 105
2023/24 FY to date
Apr 23 – Nov 23
Media cost: £1,922,212
Number of master advertising poster designs produced: 107
Guidelines for transport enthusiasts for taking photos and video
To help transport enthusiasts, I have included the guidelines, Conditions of Carriage and statements welcoming the presence of transport enthusiasts taking photos and video of the system.
The guidelines from National Rail and Network Rail welcome the presence of enthusiasts at stations because they provide extra eyes and ears for transport staff in stations.
National Rail: Guidance for Rail Enthusiasts
Whether you prefer to be called a trainspotter, a train buff, a rail fan, a rail enthusiast or even a ferroequinologist, you will get a warm welcome at all our stations. Our advice and guidance will help you enjoy your passion safely
At the station
If you are visiting a major station, please ask any member of station staff to tell the Duty Station Manager that you are there. At smaller stations just let any member of station staff know. This means they will be aware that you are on the station – and why you are there – and will be able to do their jobs without wondering what you are doing.
You may require a platform ticket to get through the ticket barriers and access platforms if you are not making a train journey.
Taking photographs or videos
You may take photographs or videos, as long as it is for your personal use. Commercial photography needs prior permission from Network Rail or the relevant train company.
Flash photography is not allowed. It could distract train drivers and platform staff, and is a potential safety hazard. You might be asked not to use a tripod at busy stations, as it could cause an obstruction. Also, you must keep tripod legs away from the platform edge and behind the yellow line.
Network Rail: Guidelines for taking photos at stations
We welcome rail enthusiasts and passengers who would like to take photos or film at our stations.
The following guidelines are designed to help you to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Please print them out and take them with you when you are at any of our managed stations.
Photography and film at stations
You can take photographs at stations provided you do not sell them on to a company or stock image agency. That is considered commercial photography.
If you are filming for quite a while or might be using bulky equipment you should let our station staff know so that the reasons for your filming are clear.
Report anything suspicious at the station
If you see anything suspicious or notice any unusual behaviour or activities, please tell a member of staff immediately. Your presence at a station can be very helpful to us as extra “eyes and ears” and can have a positive security benefit.
Then we take a look at the guidance from Transport for London about enthusiasts taking photos and videos on TfL’s property.
Transport for London (TfL): Private photographers/filming travelling through the station
We get many requests from individuals like train enthusiasts, photographers and customers 'passing through' a station who may want to take photographs or film for their own personal use. We agree that this is acceptable, at the station's discretion, as long as additional camera equipment (including flash and tripods) is not used.
2.4 On our buses, trams and trains, in our bus and rail stations and on tram platforms you must not:
• smoke or use an electronic cigarette (‘vape’)
• use bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, scooters, skateboards or hoverboards
• take flash photographs and/or use a tripod or other camera support equipment. You must not undertake filming or photography for commercial purposes without the express permission of TfL. Details on how to apply for permission can be found here https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/filming-and-photography
• use emergency exits except in an emergency or when instructed to do so by our staff
Arriva Rail London: Filming on the London Overground (Archive Wayback Machine)
The London Overground is an increasingly popular network for filming and photography, for both small independent productions all the way up to large scale television dramas and documentaries.
Railway Enthusiasts are welcome on our network. We do request that you read and follow Network Rail’s Guidance for Railway Enthusiasts and adhere to its guidance. If you require assistance at any time on a station, please speak to a member of staff.
Here’s the guidances for other Metro systems in the UK.
Photography and filming on Metro
We're happy for people to take 'family snaps' and selfies with phones or cameras while on stations or trains - but remember you are on a busy railway. Be aware of your immediate surroundings, particularly on platforms, respect the privacy and needs of fellow passengers and do not use flash when trains are approaching. Our staff will approach you or use the PA system if they have any concerns.
If you want to take pictures or film as part of a larger project - including as an enthusiast - we ask that you get in touch first so we can make sure you work safely and get the most out of your time. Metro regularly receives requests for filming and photography and these can vary from film production companies to local railway enthusiasts. Each request will be considered on its own merits and an application form will need to be completed in all cases.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport - Glasgow Subway
Filming, photography & events at SPT sites
9. Will I be stopped if I try to take a spur-of-the-moment picture on the Subway?
No. Provided you are not disturbing other customers, members of staff, loitering in the Subway system or disrupting the operation of the Subway, SPT has no objection to members of the public taking ad hoc pictures using camera phones or cameras. Please note, however, that flash photography is NOT permitted at platform level, as this could disturb train drivers.
Transport enthusiasts welcomed at a political level
On March 2009, the Members of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons tabled an Early Day Motion to recognise the presence of enthusiasts for the railway network.
Railway Enthusiasts And Photography
EDM (Early Day Motion) 1159: tabled on 23 March 2009
Tabled in the 2008-09 session.
This motion has been signed by 104 Members. It has not yet had any amendments submitted.
That this House welcomes the presence and activities of railway enthusiasts on the UK rail network; acknowledges the potential positive contribution to station security made by railway enthusiasts who are often seen as providing extra eyes and ears for the security services through their activities; is concerned at recent reports that some rail enthusiasts have been prevented from carrying out lawful activities, including photography, by station and train staff; and calls on Network Rail and the train operating companies to respect the legal rights of members of the public to pursue their interests at stations.
UK House of Commons Written Answers:
Railways
Volume 502: debated on Monday 7 December 2009
Sir Graham Brady MP:
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport (1) if he will meet representatives of railway enthusiast groups to discuss the revision of official guidelines for railway enthusiasts for the purposes of (a) increasing levels of access to and (b) maintaining security at railway stations; (304695)
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that railway industry managers and staff are aware of official guidelines for railway enthusiasts, with particular reference to the guidelines on photography.
Chris Mole MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport:
Network Rail, many train operators and the British Transport police all have policies in place that recognise the security benefits that the presence of enthusiasts can bring to the railway. The Government, too, recognise this and believe that security measures at stations should not prevent enthusiasts from pursuing their legitimate interest. Responsibility for ensuring that staff are aware of these policies rests with train and station operators and police commanders.
Meeting: MQT on 22 March 2017
Reference: 2017/1791
Question by: Tom Copley
Permitting photographs on TfL property
A constituent has asked me to query whether guidance could be issued on the TfL website for transport enthusiasts to be able to take photos and videos on the TfL network. A permit from TfL to allow professional photographers to take photos and videos on the TfL network costs £500, could more advice be given around what is deemed acceptable for transport enthusiasts to take photographs and videos on TfL property?
Answer by Mayor Sadiq Khan
Date: Sunday 26 March 2017
Subject to agreement with TfL's Film Office, transport enthusiasts are permitted to undertake photography or filming on the TfL network without purchasing a licence.
There are restrictions to ensure that all photography and filming is carried out in a safe and non-disruptive manner and charges apply to commercial photography or filming.
As for filming outdoors in public, the Metropolitan police (in London) provides a photography advice page on their website.
We encourage officers and the public to be vigilant against terrorism but recognise the importance not only of protecting the public from terrorism but also promoting the freedom of the public and the media to take and publish photographs.
Guidance around the issue has been made clear to officers and PCSOs through briefings and internal communications. The following advice is available to all officers and provides a summary of the guidance around photography in public places.
Freedom to photograph and film
Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel.
In comparison to the airplane enthusiasts, the local police at the airports provide a membership scheme for aviation enthusiasts, as they help provide extra "eyes and ears" to the airports.
Metropolitian Police Heathrow Airport Watch
Heathrow Airport Watch is a scheme for aviation enthusiasts run by the Met's Aviation Policing Unit.
Its purpose is to help prevent crime and terrorism by asking aviation enthusiasts to look out for anything out of the ordinary and to contact us if they see anything suspicious.
Members are not employed by Heathrow Airport Ltd or The Metropolitan Police Service.
Gatwick Airport Police Aviation Enthusiasts Scheme
Most airports in the UK have some form of Aviation Enthusiast’s Society or group. Gatwick is no different with its own Gatwick Aviation Society with some 300 members. Aviation enthusiasts at London Gatwick Airport are valued as the eyes and ears of the Police and airport community.
In conjunction with the Gatwick Aviation Society and The Original Gatwick Spotters News Group on Google, we have set up an Aviation Enthusiasts Photo ID card scheme similar to those at some other airports to promote a closer working relationship with enthusiasts.
The card is available to those who complete an application form, and we ask that you produce it when requested by any Police Officer or Airport Security staff member whilst at the airport. It does not give you any additional rights over any other member of the public but does show your enthusiasm in helping us protect the airport from criminals and defeat the terrorist threat.
It also enables us to have regular contact with yourselves via email or letter giving an overview of what we are looking for and conversely a contact for you to report anything suspicious.
Essex Police Plane Watch at Stansted Airport
This watch scheme is based at Stansted Airport and is run by Essex Police.
The watch scheme aims to:
• Create positive links between the police and aviation enthusiasts.
• Help us to protect the airport from criminals and defeat terrorist threats against aviation.
• Occasionally allow members to spot planes from a normally restricted area of the airport.
• Provide a forum to exchange views and information and post photographs.
• Members are given a welcome pack, lanyard and identification card to show at the airport.
We keep in touch with member by email or letter to let you know how you can help. We’ll let you know what we’re looking for and who you can contact to report anything suspicious.
The identification card strictly prohibits members gaining access to any restricted area within the airport. It does not give members any additional rights over any other member of the public.
The reason for posting about the guidance for aviation enthusiasts is because they are welcomed by the police for providing extra eyes and ears to the airport.
I believe there should be a scheme for bus, train, tram, and light rail enthusiasts, as this may build positive relations with the enthusiasts, members of staff (including contractors), the police, and others. This would be an encouraging move to help promote the use of public transport.
Lastly, I wrap up with the dictionary definition to show why I used the word ‘promoter’.
The Cambridge Dictionary definition of 'promoter':
"Someone who tries to encourage something to happen or develop."
The Collins Dictionary definition of 'promoter':
"The promoter of a cause or idea tries to make it become popular."
You’re welcome to share this article with your friends, transport staff, social media, etc. to help spread awareness about the presence of transport enthusiasts on the street and at stations.
I invite you to follow me on Twitter/X by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my Twitter/X page here. I'm also on BlueSky and Mastodon.
