When I searched on X (formerly Twitter) using the word 'staff' in the search bar for the user 'TfL Access', it showed that there have been multiple station closures per day due to the unavailability of station staff. It's not just station closures, but also a reduction in step-free access, which affects people with mobility needs, such as wheelchair users.
Some of my followers may have noticed that I’ve posted FOI requests regarding Tube station closures, where staff shortages were mentioned as a contributing factor.
#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: Chancery Lane station closed twice on 6 August 2025 due to staff shortages. #TfL confirmed procedures were followed but admitted closures can happen suddenly. Communication delays were acknowledged. EIRF was provided. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) September 24, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release: Lancaster Gate station closed in 2025 due to staff shortages, infrastructure problems, or incidents. #TfL limits closures, prioritising safety and offering travel advice to ease disruption. tfl.gov.uk/corporate/tr...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) August 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
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Here are some additional FOI requests about the London Underground recruitment process for more Customer Service Assistants at Tube stations.
Request ID: FOI-2124-2526
Date published: 22 September 2025
1. Recruitment Process
• The standard process for recruiting part-time and night-time CSA staff.
The standard recruitment process involves application pre-screening questions, online test, written communication and data interpretation assessment, role play and scenario-based interview. In recent years, part-time vacancies have been filled by candidates who applied to the night tube campaign due to part-time vacancies being small in number. Part-time roles have not been advertised.
• The average waiting time between successful application, conditional offer, and confirmed start date.
This is variable. Full-time positions typically take 1.3 years from applying to starting a training course. Night tube is currently longer, with candidates waiting up to two years and possibly longer due to the decrease in vacancies available. As mentioned before, part-time positions are filled from the night tube waitlist as they are so few in number.
2. Start Date Withdrawals
• Whether it is standard practice for candidates to be offered a start date which is subsequently retracted, particularly where the candidate has been waiting for more than two years.
This would usually only occur due to candidates not clearing background checks or their occupational health assessment in time. It can also be because a risk assessment or further information is required in terms of a candidate’s medical fitness for the role, which can mean the candidate needs to be stood down from starting until full information has been gathered.
• Confirmation on whether it is TfL policy that station managers cannot accommodate staff with health conditions or disabilities. If so, how this aligns with your responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.
Station Managers accommodate staff with health conditions and disabilities in line with the Occupational Health process.
3. Vacancies and Prioritisation
• Whether it is standard practice to advertise full-time CSA vacancies whilst candidates who have already received conditional offers for part-time or night-time roles are still waiting for confirmed start dates.
Yes, as these are different pools for different vacancies.
4. Checks and Clearances
• Whether it is normal practice for candidates to be asked to repeatedly complete reference checks and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks when no start date has yet been offered.
DBS checks do have to be refreshed regularly. Earlier this year it was determined by the business that a candidate’s DBS completion date would have to be within 3 months of their start date, hence we are refreshing those on the waitlist so that candidates are ready when a vacancy arises.
• The reasoning behind these repeated requests, particularly where the delay is caused by TfL rather than the candidate.
As above, we try to ensure a suitable pool of candidates are ready as they can be for when vacancies arise.
Request ID: FOI-2195-2526
Date published: 25 September 2025
How many campaigns does tfl typically conduct during a single year for customers assistant 2 role?
There is on average one campaign for the Customer Assistant 2 role a year.
Campaign go-live dates:
August 2025
June 2024
November 2023
December 2022
Recently, TfL posted a vacancy for a Customer Service Supervisor. If anyone is interested, you have until 15th October 2025 to submit your application.
#Transport for #London Careers:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) September 24, 2025
Customer Service Supervisor 2
Position Type - Full Time
Salary: £52,346 pa
Contract Type: London Underground Permanent
Closing date for Applications: Wednesday 15th October 2025 at 23:59hrshttps://t.co/fsaBqGyJpy pic.twitter.com/PLtaBpSt5a
As public transport forms part of the Critical National Infrastructure, Transport for London (TfL) should implement a rolling recruitment campaign that runs continuously throughout the year, rather than relying on occasional, limited recruitment drives. This approach, similar to the recruitment strategies used by sectors such as the police and military, would help ensure a steady pipeline of new bus drivers through their contracted bus operating companies. Maintaining adequate staffing levels is crucial to keep services running smoothly and stations operational, supporting the city’s transport needs effectively.
Staff shortages affect not only commuters, but also disabled individuals and wheelchair users, particularly at Tube stations with step-free access and lift facilities.
In another previous article (from 2024), I mentioned that transport enthusiasts are among the biggest promoters of public transport. Given their unique knowledge of the network, TfL should consider reaching out to them and offering opportunities to work within the transport sector.
TfL also hires people with disabilities. Their Steps into Work programme supports neurodivergent individuals and those with learning disabilities to help them develop skills and gain work experience.
In addition, TfL employs staff with hearing impairments and has stated that they do not reject applicants based on hearing impairment.
#Transport for #London Freedom of Information release:
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) March 16, 2025
Current number of #TfL employees that are hearing impaired or use hearing aids
TfL has four staff with hearing impairments, none are drivers, and no applicants are rejected for hearing impairments...https://t.co/muVXTo9eCO
As for TfL’s other services—light rail and rail—at the time of writing, there are no current vacancies for Customer Service Assistants on the following networks:
Docklands Light Railway (KeolisAmey)
https://keolisameydlr.livevacancies.co.uk
London Overground (Arriva Rail London)
https://www.arrivaraillondon.co.uk/careers/
Elizabeth line (GTS Rail Operations)
https://careers.gtsr.co.uk/jobs/vacancy/find/results/
Tramlink (First Group – although they do not employ CSAs)
https://careers.firstgroup.co.uk/brand-tol
The rolling strike action carried out by the RMT Union earlier this month (September 2025) highlighted ongoing concerns about staff working conditions on the London Underground. From 5th September, different staff grades took part in industrial action over a seven-day period. According to RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey, staff had raised long-standing issues around fatigue, strenuous shift patterns, and their overall wellbeing—concerns that, he said, had not been adequately addressed by London Underground (LU) management. The union also cited unresolved matters such as staff travel arrangements and a breakdown in trust between management and employees. While the RMT stated it remained open to further dialogue in pursuit of a negotiated settlement, the dispute underscored the broader challenges TfL faces in retaining staff and maintaining morale. Supporting transport workers is essential, as they play a critical role in keeping the city moving and ensuring the safety and accessibility of services for all passengers. By recognising the pressures faced by frontline staff, there is a greater opportunity to foster a more resilient and motivated workforce, ultimately leading to more reliable and inclusive public transport for everyone.
Lastly, to those working within TfL: I know some of you may read my articles. If you'd like to get in touch—as I may be able to contribute ideas to help improve TfL—you're welcome to reach out to me on social media (links below). Feel free to arrange a direct message, and we can take it from there.
In conclusion, ensuring sufficient staffing levels on the London Underground and other TfL-operated services is essential to maintaining reliable and accessible public transport for all users, including those with disabilities. A rolling recruitment strategy, alongside outreach to passionate transport enthusiasts and greater inclusion through programmes like Steps into Work, would help TfL address ongoing staff shortages and reduce the frequency of station closures and step-free access disruptions. By taking proactive steps now, TfL can strengthen its workforce, improve service reliability, and better serve the needs of London’s diverse population.
Just to clarify briefly, I did not make the Freedom of Information request, as TfL stated that they publish the response online without disclosing any personal information of the requester. A similar procedure applies with the ‘What Do They Know’ website, where anyone can submit a FOI request to a UK governing body, and the correspondence is available for the general public to view.
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.
