Request ID: FOI-0181-2425 Date published: 02 May 2024
You asked
1. Are there any large-scale expansion plans for Santander Cycles scheme in Newham at the moment? Any timelines?
2. Are there are smaller-scale ones? Newham is experiencing a rather fast real estate commercial development, which would benefit from these stations.
3. Given that this is all about funding, please can you kindly confirm what are the fixed costs of installing a station, and variable costs of maintenance per docking station?
a. Also, what would be the expected revenue generated per an average station?
4. Is the part-funded by boroughs and by TfL split 50/50? If not, what is the split?
5. Who specifically would I need to contact from council? Would it be Ms Lyn Brown or people from the below list? (redacted - Newham councillors list)
7. “A high volume of residents requesting this gives the case more weight and increases the possibility of funding being made available in the future” What is the minimum number of residents that would need to sign off on this?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0181-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 8th April 2024 asking for information about the cycle hire scheme. 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 hold some of the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1. Are there any large-scale expansion plans for Santander Cycles scheme in Newham at the moment? Any timelines?
Answer:No, there are not any large–scale expansions planned in Newham.
Question 2. Are there are smaller-scale ones? Newham is experiencing a rather fast real estate commercial development, which would benefit from these stations.
Answer:No, there are not any small–scale expansions planned in Newham.
Question 3. Given that this is all about funding, please can you kindly confirm what are the fixed costs of installing a station, and variable costs of maintenance per docking station?
Answer: The information is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information which can apply to information where release would prejudice commercial interests, be it TfL or any other body. In this instance the exemption applies because the work is contracted to a third party. Release of information under the Freedom of Information Act is considered to be to the world at large rather than the individual applicant. While it is appreciated that you have requested the information out of your own interest, to place this information into the public domain would inhibit TfL’s ability to negotiate the best value when contracting for similar work in the future (as well as inhibiting the contractor likewise as it tenders for other such work).
As a ‘qualified’ exemption, the use of section 43(2) is subject to consideration of the ‘public interest test’ to determine whether it is in the greater public interest for the exemption to apply and the information to be withheld, or for it to be released in any event. We appreciate the need for openness and transparency in the operation of our business, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument in favour of release. However, we also have a responsibility to secure the best value when spending public money, and we believe that placing the requested information into the public domain would reduce our ability to secure the best price in future contracts, to the detriment of the public purse. We therefore believe that the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying.
Question 3a. Also, what would be the expected revenue generated per an average station?
Answer: TfL does not hold a figure for the “expected revenue generated per an average station”. Revenue depends a number of factors including the location of the station along with the propensity to cycle in the area, along with other geographical factors.
Question 4. Is the part-funded by boroughs and by TfL split 50/50? If not, what is the split?
Answer:Funding is discussed with the relevant Borough at the time of application. Most recently infrastructure has been fully funded by Boroughs.
Question 5. Who specifically would I need to contact from council? Would it be Ms Lyn Brown or people from the below list? (redacted - Newham councillors list)
Answer: TfL does not hold this information. I would suggest you put this question directly to the Council. FOI requests to the London Borough of Newham can be made via its website here:
Question 6. “A high volume of residents requesting this gives the case more weight and increases the possibility of funding being made available in the future” What is the minimum number of residents that would need to sign off on this?
Answer:TfL does not hold the requested information. I suggest you put this question directly to the Council.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
