Request ID: FOI-3172-2425
Date published: 30 January 2025
The number of trains cancelled due to lack of drivers in the last 12 months?
Please advise the number of trains cancelled due to lack of drivers in the last 12 months.
Please show by line and as a number and also as a percentage of overall number of trains?
We do not record the percentage of trains cancelled due to a specific root cause, and we are unable to report on the number of trains cancelled by line due to a Train Operator not being available.
We may be able to provide you with our Lost Customer Hours by line as a result of a Train Operator not being available. Lost Customer Hours is used to measure the customer experience of reliability on the London Underground network. The system estimates the impact of any service disruption of two minutes or more in terms of time lost by our customers (including the knock-on effects to trains and crowding). Please note that we will not be able to correlate our Lost Customer Hours to the number of trains cancelled.
How many stations were closed and for how many days due to lack of staff?
Please see the requested data below:
Number of times a station was closed - 845
Total duration of closures in minutes - 136,375
Total duration of closures in days - 94.7
Time period: 18 August 2023 to 17 August 2024. Please note that this is the latest data we can provide. Due to on-going recovery from a cyber incident, we are unable to provide data for the last 12 months.
Station Closure Notes
• The data included is based on the station being fully closed meaning passengers cannot enter or exit the station, and all train services running through the station non-stopping so passengers cannot interchange either.
• The data does not include planned station closures or closures due to industrial action.
• Delays are recorded for durations of 2 minutes or more.
• A station can be closed multiple times during a day. For example, once at the start of the day, and then again at the end of the day. This will be recorded as two separate closures.
• Timings and cause of closures may be subject to change pending further review of incidents.
• All dates, times, delays and durations are captured manually and should be used as a guide. Small discrepancies in the data are not uncommon.
Another FOI response was published on the TfL website regarding Customer Service Assistant vacancies for the London Underground.
Request ID: FOI-3414-2425
Date published: 30 January 2025
When will CSA job roles and CSA night shift roles open up this year? What time will the application process begin?
TfL has no current plans for a CSA recruitment campaign, and hence the requested information is not held.
Note that job opportunities at TfL are advertised on the following page of our website, which is regularly updated as new campaigns are launched:
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/ - click “Find jobs” or “Find more jobs” for details of current opportunities.
It's kind of disappointing to see train cancellations and station closures due to staff shortages.
Some attribute this to TfL's finances, but I revealed on social media, based on TfL's Board papers, that they delivered an operating surplus in 2023/24.
As public transport is part of the Critical National Infrastructure, it's crucial for transport authorities and providers to maintain an adequate number of staff to prevent shortages.Highlights of the agenda reports pack (including the Commissioner's Report) for the 5 February 2025 #Transport for #London Board meeting. content.tfl.gov.uk/board-202502...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 12:42 PM
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Station shortages impact not only commuters, but also disabled individuals and wheelchair users, as some Tube stations have step-free access and lift facilities.
Looking back to 2023, I objected to the closure of ticket offices at railway stations, as it impacts various groups of people, especially those with disabilities. While more people are using smartcards and contactless Pay As You Go (PAYG), I still believe ticket offices should be retained. There will always be users who are unable to use the PAYG system or ticket machines. It's better to have a human presence, as staff are trained to understand the full range of tickets available for the railway and transport system, especially for those who don’t have bank cards and can only pay with cash. This is why I also objected to the withdrawal of the One Day Travelcard in 2023 (which, thankfully, is still available), particularly for people who had lost their cards and had to wait for replacements.
Ticket offices are not just for selling tickets; they also provide support for various people, such as the disabled, who may need assistance. This is particularly important for wheelchair users who require a ramp to board their train.My response to the proposed ticket office closures at #railway stations.
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) September 1, 2023
This is your final chance to have your say, the deadline is by the end of the day! ⏲️https://t.co/QlYxGWRC8Fhttps://t.co/7RRkoio6f0#Transport #Urbanism #Travel #Accessibility #UK pic.twitter.com/JbTCi5X6y1
In conclusion, ensuring a reliable and accessible transport network requires more than just financial management. It is essential to prioritise staffing levels and maintain key services like ticket offices to support all passengers, especially those with additional needs. Balancing technological advancements with human support will be crucial in creating a system that serves everyone effectively.
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.
