Request ID: FOI-0049-2324 Date published: 05 May 2023
You asked
1. I note the comments and opinions in your third paragraph but frankly they are, if the the reply to previous question 20 is correct only speculative and an opinion not a fact. Q1a. Would you please provide evidence to the claim “ . Historically, the total number of journeys made have been a tiny proportion of the 11 million Tube and bus journeys made per day, meaning no additional services need to be operated.”
Q1b. On what date or dates was the total number of journeys £11million per day. What has it been so far in 2021/21 year. Please breakdown by periods.
Q1c. What do contacts of employment say to justify your comment “long standing part of the terms and conditions. I believe this is untrue as the employment T&C’s specifically say this is non contractual. Please confirm.
Q1d. Even if the employee staff passes (Q1) are considered contractual please advise the contractual position on all other categories listed.
Q2 I note that in previous question 19 the numbers are the totality of the previous questions. However I’m informed that passes are also given to staff in some, non TfL family, train operating companies, particularly but not exclusively south west railway. Can you confirm this and to what train companies it applies to with the numbers broken down by staff, nominees, retired and retired nominees. Please confirm whether this is on a reciprocal basis and whether it’s considered contractual.
Q3. What other adult passengers (other than freedom or over 60’s) receive free travel and what is the quantity. I believe this applies to various police forces. Please confirm which forces and the quantities.
Q4. I do not believe that TfL do not hold the answer to previous question 20. I was specifically NOT asking for this to be broken down to identifiable individual detail. I was simply asking for totals and I am assured that you do have that information.
Q5. What is the qualification for receiving a PTAC for other family members.
Q6. You use the expression “vast majority”. What is the definition of “vast” and why do some receive it without the required service or age?
Q7. Who and when was it agreed that chief officers receive more favourable terms? Does this apply whether they retire or leave voluntarily? As the terms of employment of Chief Officers are reserved for the board and or its remuneration committee I cannot find any minute where this was approved. Please direct me to it if I’ve missed it.
Q8. Please indicate the quantity of PTAC’s in each of the previous groups 1-18
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0049-2324
Thank you for your request received by us on 5 April 2023 asking for information about staff passes.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked for:
1. I note the comments and opinions in your third paragraph but frankly they are, if the the reply to previous question 20 is correct only speculative and an opinion not a fact.
a) Would you please provide evidence to the claim “ . Historically, the total number of journeys made have been a tiny proportion of the 11 million Tube and bus journeys made per day, meaning no additional services need to be operated.”
The attached spreadsheet shows the number of bus boardings and exits at rail stations for Smartcards (Oyster and Contactless Payment Cards) as totals and percentages by financial period, from 2017-22. The data presented is a count of taps on readers and not a measure of journeys. This data does not include records of journeys made using paper tickets or where no validation took place, such as children under 11 or journeys with no exit tap. It is important to note that number of taps made using Staff Oyster cards include those taps by members of station staff as they open the gate for customers or cross the gateline in the course of carrying out their duties.
b) On what date or dates was the total number of journeys £11million per day. What has it been so far in 2021/21 year. Please breakdown by periods.
Information on network demand is published and can be found on our website via the following link (click the tab “Understood - take me to the reports”; then select the “Demand by Travel Mode” tab near the bottom centre of the page). This will show overall travel volumes. The data ranges from the beginning of January 2020 through to last week, and is updated weekly:
c) What do contacts of employment say to justify your comment “long standing part of the terms and conditions. I believe this is untrue as the employment T&C’s specifically say this is non contractual. Please confirm. d) Even if the employee staff passes (Q1) are considered contractual please advise the contractual position on all other categories listed.
Staff passes are non-contractual, discretionary benefits. Travel passes are a key recruitment and retention tool and are therefore referenced as part of job advertisements and employment packs. They are also regularly used by staff as part of their day-today roles on the network.
Their provision has been a long-standing part of the overall reward package given to both TfL employees and third parties such as bus operators since before TfL was formed in 2000.
2. I note that in previous question 19 the numbers are the totality of the previous questions. However I’m informed that passes are also given to staff in some, non TfL family, train operating companies, particularly but not exclusively south west railway. Can you confirm this and to what train companies it applies to with the numbers broken down by staff, nominees, retired and retired nominees. Please confirm whether this is on a reciprocal basis and whether it’s considered contractual.
These were included in the 3rd party numbers provided previously. This is a reciprocal agreement dating back to the 1999 Rail Agreement. These passes are non-contractual. They are not broken down by train company due to changes in franchises but overseen by the Rail Delivery Group.
3. What other adult passengers (other than freedom or over 60’s) receive free travel and what is the quantity. I believe this applies to various police forces. Please confirm which forces and the quantities.
The table below lists the groups who receive free travel. Please note that 60+ Oyster card holders cannot travel for free between 0430-0859 on weekdays, otherwise all get free travel at any time. This is information is correct as of the date of your request.
Adult concessionary schemes 60+ 388,258 Veterans 9,958 Athletes 674 Engineers Pass 239 Metropolitan Police 48,559 British Transport Police 3,967 British Transport Police Staff 430 City of London Police 1,348 Total 453,433
4. I do not believe that TfL do not hold the answer to previous question 20. I was specifically NOT asking for this to be broken down to identifiable individual detail. I was simply asking for totals and I am assured that you do have that information.
5. What is the qualification for receiving a PTAC for other family members.
There are two types of PTAC:
1- All Rail PTAC which gives discounted travel on National Rail & TfL rail. (as part of the 1999 Rail Agreement) Eligibility • • In service prior to 1.4.1996 • • Be partner/Spouse of employee/ex-employee • • Live permanently at address • • Dependants must be in full time education (age 5-25)
2 - TfL Rail PTAC which gives discounted travel on TfL rail services to Dependants. Eligibility • • In service after 1.4.1996 • • Dependant must be in full time education (age 5 -25)
6. You use the expression “vast majority”. What is the definition of “vast” and why do some receive it without the required service or age?
The eligibility for a retired pass is that you are over 50 years old with 20+ years’ service. Exceptions to this are Chief Officers and medical retirements – where the person receives an enhanced pension and therefore the age does not apply. The vast majority would mean everyone else.
7. Who and when was it agreed that chief officers receive more favourable terms? Does this apply whether they retire or leave voluntarily? As the terms of employment of Chief Officers are reserved for the board and or its remuneration committee I cannot find any minute where this was approved. Please direct me to it if I’ve missed it.
This policy was approved by the then Managing Director, Corporate Services, in conjunction with the Mayor of London, effective from 1 June 2003. Chief Officers retain their travel passes when they leave employment (whether by retirement or resignation) provided they have been continuously employed for 12 months or more at the time of leaving.
8. Please indicate the quantity of PTAC’s in each of the previous groups 1-18 1. No of PTAC currently issued to TfL employees - 1610 2. No of PTAC currently issued to Partner of current TfL employees - 992 3. No of PTAC currently issued to other dependants of TfL employees – 1,238 4. No of retired PTAC currently issued to retired TfL employees – 10,725 5. No of partner PTAC currently issued to Partner of retired TfL employees - 8,198 6. No of other dependant PTAC currently issued to retired TfL employees - 263 7. No of PTAC currently issued to TfL board members - 0 8. No of PTAC currently issued to Partner of TfL board members - 0 9. No of PTAC currently issued to other dependants of TfL board members - 0 10. No of PTAC currently issued to former TfL board members - 1 11. No of PTAC currently issued to Partner of former TfL board members - 1 12. No of any other dependent PTAC currently issued to former TfL board members - 0 13. No of PTAC currently issued to employees of non-TfL companies in TfL family - 98 14. No of PTAC currently issued to Partner of employees of non-TfL companies in the TfL family - 49 15. No of other dependant PTAC currently issued to employees of non-TfL companies in the family - 9 16. No of retired PTAC currently issued to former employees of non-TfL companies in TfL family - 396 17. No of PTAC currently issued to Partner of retired employees of non-TfL companies in TfL family - 318 18 No of other dependant PTAC currently issued to dependants of retired employees of non-TfL companies in TfL family - 6
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
