How much does TfL spend on tackling rats/mice vermin across the public transport network per year? May I please have the figures going back as far as possible? Please could you also include which 20 Tube/train stations require most spent to keep vermin under control.

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TfL Ref: FOI-0143-1819

Thank you again for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 17 April 2018 asking for information about the cost of tackling vermin on the public transport network.

You asked:

How much does TfL spend on tackling rats/mice vermin across the public transport network per year? May I please have the figures going back as far as possible? Please could you also include which 20 Tube/train stations require most spent to keep vermin under control.

Unfortunately, from the description you provided, we are unable to identify the information you require as it is too broad a request. The public transport network is vast and also covers bridges and tunnels etc pan-London and further afield.

To enable us to assist with your request, please specify the exact locations/stations for which you require information.

The Freedom of Information Act allows you to request recorded information held by Transport for London. There are limits on the time that we are required to spend determining whether we hold the information you are requesting and the time spent locating, retrieving and extracting it. Therefore you should identify the information that you want as clearly and concisely as you can, specifying the types of document that you are looking for. You might also consider limiting your request to a particular period of time, geographical area or specific departments of the organisation.

Although your request can take the form of a question, rather than a request for specific documents, we do not have to answer your question if it would require the creation of new information or the provision of a judgement, explanation, advice or opinion that was not already recorded at the time of your request.

Please note that the 20 working day deadline for responding to your request will depend on when we receive satisfactory additional information to help clarify your request.

If we hear nothing further from you by Friday 11 May 2018 your request will be closed.

Alternatively, below is a previous response to a related request that may be of interest to you:

London Underground is managed in different operational areas organised around groups of lines. The Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines are grouped together (JNP) and the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria (BCV) lines are grouped with the Circle, District, Hammersmith and City lines and Metropolitan lines (Sub Surface Lines – SSL).

The method of apportioning pest control costs varies according to the contract type, for example in some cases there is a specific contracted service for this and in others, pest control is one element of a fee for a contract that is wider in scope.

The BCV/SSL group of lines do not split pest control costs down to the level of only treating for rats and mice, therefore the figures as below are for the whole of expenditure on pest control.

Description	Monthly (averaged)	Typical spend per year
PEST - BCV	£ 30,815	£ 369,780
PEST - SSL	£ 34,174	£ 410,083

The JNP group of lines do split pest control costs down as below:

Description	2014/15		2015/16		2016/17
	Monthly (averaged)	Typical spend per year	Monthly (averaged)	Typical spend per year	Monthly (averaged)	Typical spend per year
PEST JNP	£15,000	£180,000	£7,700	£92,000	£8,400	£100,000
PEST rats and mice only	£3,700		£1,300		£1,300

If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

Melissa Nichols

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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