Our Ref:         FOI-0063-2021

Thank you for your request received on 14 April 2020 asking for information about the use of WiFi data in our response to the coronavirus outbreak.
 
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.
 
Please see the attached graph that looked at both taps from our ticketing system as compared with WiFi station journey counts. We used this to assess how the different systems were measuring travel patterns.
 
The y axis on the graph attached shows different scales for Wi-Fi data and ticketing data. We have overlaid the two to show how the patterns compare against each other. The two lines show a strong correlation between the numbers of people carrying WiFi enabled devices and ticketing data. However, some differences will remain:
 
•         Canning Town has an interchange with the DLR and passengers who change there may show up in Wi-Fi data without showing in Oyster taps data
•         Passengers travelling at different times of the day may be more or less likely than at other times to carry Wi-Fi enabled devices
 
We have not produced any other reports, documents, maps, or papers for our management teams related to the use of our WiFi tracking system to tackle the coronavirus/Covid-19.
 
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.
 
Please note, the Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the coronavirus. It is essential for London, that we continue to provide a safe transport network for essential journeys.
 
In current circumstances, we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.
 
Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.
 
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

[email protected]

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