Below are the key insights from Transport for London's (TfL) Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, which I found on their website.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Request ID: FOI-2649-2425
Date published: 02 December 2024
Electric Buses
Question: It has come to my attention that only a handful of Electric buses last on routes 24/7 without using Diesel or Hybrid vehicles to cover. What action will be taken to ensure that Electric buses are able to remain on routes throughout the day and night?
Answer: Bus manufacturers are continually working to improve battery technology and range, overtime this will allow electric buses to operate for longer periods of time.
Question: Is there any changes to the date that all TFL Buses will be Electric or a form of Zero Emission by? Will all the required infrastructure at bus garages be ready in time?
Answer: The Mayor of London and Transport for London aim to convert the entire bus fleet to zero-emission by 2034, or 2030 with additional government funding. We are working with all stakeholders to ensure we can deliver to either target date.
Question: I understand that no more Diesel or Hybrid buses are procured, when will all tender awards solely be focused to be renewed with Electric buses? Instead of short term (3 or 5 year) awards with existing Diesel or Hybrid vehicles?
Answer: As and when new contracts are awarded with zero-emission buses will depend on affordability and fleet programme. To maximise the life of existing diesel/hybrid buses in London, existing buses are in operation.
Request ID: FOI-2678-2425
Date published: 04 December 2024
New "Elloise" digital voice on Piccadilly line trains
Question 1. Request FOI-1239-2324 states the intention to roll out Adrian Hieatt's voice to the Bakerloo and Central lines for multiple reasons, including his voice being "highly rated" and bringing no extra cost to TfL. Why was the decision made to not also use his voice for the new Piccadilly line and DLR trains? To clarify, I am referring to the decision to use a "digital custom voice created by Acapella Group" for announcements on these trains - please see https://www.acapela-group.com/news/voice-branding-london-underground/ for context.
Answer: The new Piccadilly line and DLR trains will use synthetic voice announcements that have been developed using our latest customer research. This will give us greater flexibility when creating new announcements or amending existing ones and is also a cheaper and less time-consuming way to do it. Train Operators/Passenger Service Assistants will still be able to make announcements over the train’s PA system as they normally would.
Question 2. Are there any plans to bring either Adrian's voice or the new "Elloise" voice to any other lines, modes, or stations?
Answer: We have no plans to use Adrian Hieatt’s voice on any other lines, modes or stations moving forward. The ‘Elloise’ synthetic voice is currently planned to be used on the new Piccadilly line and DLR trains.
Question 3. Please provide a copy of the contract and/or licensing agreement with the Acapela Group for use of the new "Elloise" voice.
Answer: TfL does not hold a copy of the contract as it is between Acapela Group and Siemens Mobility.
Question 4. Will the synthetic voice be used to generate segments in advance to be strung together by a conventional segment-based PA system, or will the announcements be generated in real-time by the PA system?
Answer: The automated announcements will be generated in advance rather than in real-time, with Train Operators/Passenger Service Assistants making certain supplementary announcements as they do currently.
Question 5. If segments are being pre-generated, does the licensing agreement allow for these to be made public via FOI requests, as with some of the other lines?
Answer: The recordings will be exempt from release under section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act, as with most other recordings on London Underground lines.
Question 6. Is the use of the new "Elloise" voice and generation of new announcements reliant on the continued existence of Acapela Group and their services? Would you still be able to generate new PA recordings if/when the contract expires or the company shuts down?
Answer: Acapela Group are providing TfL with all the software required to generate new announcements in the future.
Request ID: FOI-2527-2425
Date published: 04 December 2024
Single justice procedure prosecutions
Question A: Is not having a ticket on a bus a strict liability offence?
Answer: Fare evasion on a London bus is regulated by the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 and the PSV (Conduct) Regulations 1990. The 1981 Act provides for a statutory defence for those accused of fare evasion where they have had a “reasonable excuse” for not having a ticket. Therefore, under the 1981 Act, bus fare evasion is not a strict liability offence. Where in doubt independent legal advice should be sought if considered necessary.
Question B: Have you sent pre and/or post-prosecution letters to defendants telling them that not having a valid ticket on a bus was a strict liability offence? If so, for how long and during what dates? Please include a copy of such letter/s?
Answer: It is not possible to answer these questions within the costs limit for responding to FOI requests, as set out under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act. Under section 12, TfL is not required to provide information if it would cost more than £450 to determine if the requested information is held, and to then locate, retrieve or extract that information from elsewhere. This is calculated at a rate of £25 per hour, equivalent to 18 hours work.
In this instance the exemption applies because the requested information has not been collated before and there is no quick or efficient way of doing so. Rather, we would have to manually review thousands of letters, which is not possible within the 18 hour limit. We can confirm that the standard letter template issued to those under investigation and being prosecuted for bus fare evasion does not include any such wording. However, without a manual review of all such letters we do not know whether any amendments may have been made to those template letters (TfL Investigator/Prosecutors have the option to adapt or tailor the standard letter template in correspondence).
There was an error made in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that was issued to all defendants in bus fare evasion cases to assist the defendant in understanding our approach to prosecution. The FAQ document was in use between 1 January 2017 and 23 April 2019 but has since been withdrawn (see attached copy). That error was as follows:
FAQ: Does it matter that I committed the offence by accident/mistake?
Intention is not always inferred and you may be guilty simply by the fact you did not have a valid ticket.
Question C. Have defendants who were told their offences (not having a valid bus ticket) were strict liability offences and who were convicted of those offences been sent letters to say that the offences were not strict liability and if they wish to reopen their cases they may?
Answer: The FAQ (2017 version) document referenced above also stated that defendants should seek independent legal advice, and TfL is not aware that any defendants relied on the FAQ document to their detriment. Representatives of the Court service have also confirmed that the Court was always clear on the nature of bus fare evasion offences and ensured all matters were properly dealt with in accordance with the relevant legislation. The Court is responsible for considering any applications it receives to reopen cases.
Question D: Do you say travelling without a valid ticket on tube, train or tram is a strict liability offence? If yes can you quote the relevant legislation?
Answer: TfL considers fare evasion offences prosecuted under the TfL Byelaws as strict liability but we suggest independent legal advice is sought if in doubt.
Question E: The Solicitors Code of Conduct prohibits solicitors from acting for a person where a conflict of interest may arise. Given TFL is the victim of these crimes, and the prosecutor (which involves giving legal information to defendants) how does it deal with the potential conflicts of interest concerned?
Answer: TfL investigator/prosecutors do not provide legal information to defendants. The FAQ document provided to defendants does not constitute legal advice. Our FAQ (2017 version) document stated: "Where can I obtain advice? - You can seek advice from a solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Details of local solicitors and the nearest CAB are available from your local library or from any Magistrates’ court. Transport for London cannot give any advice with regard to completing the forms or on how you should proceed." Our current FAQ document (V2 SJP leaflet March 2022) is also attached and states “If you need help with your notice you can find a legal adviser at gov.uk/find-a-legal-adviser”.
In addition, TfL has published the minutes from their Independent Disability Advisory Group (IDAG) meetings, which I shared on social media.
Question: Is there any changes to the date that all TFL Buses will be Electric or a form of Zero Emission by? Will all the required infrastructure at bus garages be ready in time?
Answer: The Mayor of London and Transport for London aim to convert the entire bus fleet to zero-emission by 2034, or 2030 with additional government funding. We are working with all stakeholders to ensure we can deliver to either target date.
Question: I understand that no more Diesel or Hybrid buses are procured, when will all tender awards solely be focused to be renewed with Electric buses? Instead of short term (3 or 5 year) awards with existing Diesel or Hybrid vehicles?
Answer: As and when new contracts are awarded with zero-emission buses will depend on affordability and fleet programme. To maximise the life of existing diesel/hybrid buses in London, existing buses are in operation.
Request ID: FOI-2678-2425
Date published: 04 December 2024
New "Elloise" digital voice on Piccadilly line trains
Question 1. Request FOI-1239-2324 states the intention to roll out Adrian Hieatt's voice to the Bakerloo and Central lines for multiple reasons, including his voice being "highly rated" and bringing no extra cost to TfL. Why was the decision made to not also use his voice for the new Piccadilly line and DLR trains? To clarify, I am referring to the decision to use a "digital custom voice created by Acapella Group" for announcements on these trains - please see https://www.acapela-group.com/news/voice-branding-london-underground/ for context.
Answer: The new Piccadilly line and DLR trains will use synthetic voice announcements that have been developed using our latest customer research. This will give us greater flexibility when creating new announcements or amending existing ones and is also a cheaper and less time-consuming way to do it. Train Operators/Passenger Service Assistants will still be able to make announcements over the train’s PA system as they normally would.
Question 2. Are there any plans to bring either Adrian's voice or the new "Elloise" voice to any other lines, modes, or stations?
Answer: We have no plans to use Adrian Hieatt’s voice on any other lines, modes or stations moving forward. The ‘Elloise’ synthetic voice is currently planned to be used on the new Piccadilly line and DLR trains.
Question 3. Please provide a copy of the contract and/or licensing agreement with the Acapela Group for use of the new "Elloise" voice.
Answer: TfL does not hold a copy of the contract as it is between Acapela Group and Siemens Mobility.
Question 4. Will the synthetic voice be used to generate segments in advance to be strung together by a conventional segment-based PA system, or will the announcements be generated in real-time by the PA system?
Answer: The automated announcements will be generated in advance rather than in real-time, with Train Operators/Passenger Service Assistants making certain supplementary announcements as they do currently.
Question 5. If segments are being pre-generated, does the licensing agreement allow for these to be made public via FOI requests, as with some of the other lines?
Answer: The recordings will be exempt from release under section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act, as with most other recordings on London Underground lines.
Question 6. Is the use of the new "Elloise" voice and generation of new announcements reliant on the continued existence of Acapela Group and their services? Would you still be able to generate new PA recordings if/when the contract expires or the company shuts down?
Answer: Acapela Group are providing TfL with all the software required to generate new announcements in the future.
Request ID: FOI-2527-2425
Date published: 04 December 2024
Single justice procedure prosecutions
Question A: Is not having a ticket on a bus a strict liability offence?
Answer: Fare evasion on a London bus is regulated by the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 and the PSV (Conduct) Regulations 1990. The 1981 Act provides for a statutory defence for those accused of fare evasion where they have had a “reasonable excuse” for not having a ticket. Therefore, under the 1981 Act, bus fare evasion is not a strict liability offence. Where in doubt independent legal advice should be sought if considered necessary.
Question B: Have you sent pre and/or post-prosecution letters to defendants telling them that not having a valid ticket on a bus was a strict liability offence? If so, for how long and during what dates? Please include a copy of such letter/s?
Answer: It is not possible to answer these questions within the costs limit for responding to FOI requests, as set out under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act. Under section 12, TfL is not required to provide information if it would cost more than £450 to determine if the requested information is held, and to then locate, retrieve or extract that information from elsewhere. This is calculated at a rate of £25 per hour, equivalent to 18 hours work.
In this instance the exemption applies because the requested information has not been collated before and there is no quick or efficient way of doing so. Rather, we would have to manually review thousands of letters, which is not possible within the 18 hour limit. We can confirm that the standard letter template issued to those under investigation and being prosecuted for bus fare evasion does not include any such wording. However, without a manual review of all such letters we do not know whether any amendments may have been made to those template letters (TfL Investigator/Prosecutors have the option to adapt or tailor the standard letter template in correspondence).
There was an error made in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that was issued to all defendants in bus fare evasion cases to assist the defendant in understanding our approach to prosecution. The FAQ document was in use between 1 January 2017 and 23 April 2019 but has since been withdrawn (see attached copy). That error was as follows:
FAQ: Does it matter that I committed the offence by accident/mistake?
Intention is not always inferred and you may be guilty simply by the fact you did not have a valid ticket.
Question C. Have defendants who were told their offences (not having a valid bus ticket) were strict liability offences and who were convicted of those offences been sent letters to say that the offences were not strict liability and if they wish to reopen their cases they may?
Answer: The FAQ (2017 version) document referenced above also stated that defendants should seek independent legal advice, and TfL is not aware that any defendants relied on the FAQ document to their detriment. Representatives of the Court service have also confirmed that the Court was always clear on the nature of bus fare evasion offences and ensured all matters were properly dealt with in accordance with the relevant legislation. The Court is responsible for considering any applications it receives to reopen cases.
Question D: Do you say travelling without a valid ticket on tube, train or tram is a strict liability offence? If yes can you quote the relevant legislation?
Answer: TfL considers fare evasion offences prosecuted under the TfL Byelaws as strict liability but we suggest independent legal advice is sought if in doubt.
Question E: The Solicitors Code of Conduct prohibits solicitors from acting for a person where a conflict of interest may arise. Given TFL is the victim of these crimes, and the prosecutor (which involves giving legal information to defendants) how does it deal with the potential conflicts of interest concerned?
Answer: TfL investigator/prosecutors do not provide legal information to defendants. The FAQ document provided to defendants does not constitute legal advice. Our FAQ (2017 version) document stated: "Where can I obtain advice? - You can seek advice from a solicitor or the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Details of local solicitors and the nearest CAB are available from your local library or from any Magistrates’ court. Transport for London cannot give any advice with regard to completing the forms or on how you should proceed." Our current FAQ document (V2 SJP leaflet March 2022) is also attached and states “If you need help with your notice you can find a legal adviser at gov.uk/find-a-legal-adviser”.
In addition, TfL has published the minutes from their Independent Disability Advisory Group (IDAG) meetings, which I shared on social media.
#Transport for #London #TfL Freedom of Information release: Minutes of Independent #Disability Advisory Group (IDAG) Meetings post 30 May 2024 tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) December 3, 2024 at 10:56 AM
[image or embed]
Advice
TfL has listed various types of free and discounted travel options (including the Zip Oyster and 60+ Oyster) on their website.
If you are disabled and facing difficulties obtaining a Freedom Pass or a transport concession, such as the ENCTS, through your local authority, you can reach out to Transport for All for advice.
The Disability News Service provides a list of organisations and law firms on their website, and Inclusion London offers a directory of Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations.
Lastly, you can contact your local elected representative, such as a councillor or your local Member of Parliament (MP), using the Write To Them website, or find your local MP on the UK Parliament website.
I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.
Further reading
