I wish to know the following information regarding the supplying of PPE and staff protection from the Coronavirus on buses and over ground and underground services with TFL: TFL BUSES 1. When were PPE facemasks issued to bus staff? 2. Does TFL have any information regarding why these were issued? 3. Does TFL have any information regarding why these were not issued at an earlier date? 4. When were see through plastic barriers fitted next to the driver seats to buses? 5. Does TFL have any information regarding why these were fixed? 6. Does TFL have any information regarding why these were not fixed at an earlier date? 7. When were the front doors and areas around the drivers’ sections, decided to be taped off from passengers? 8. Does TFL have any information regarding why this was done? 9. Does TFL have any information regarding why this was not done at an earlier date? 10. Does TFL have any information as to why there are no fares currently on TFL buses? 11. Does TFL have any information regarding why this was implemented? 12. Does TFL intend to require all passengers on TFL buses to wear facemasks at some future date? TFL OVERGROUND TRAINS 13. When were PPE facemasks issued to over ground train ticket office staff and station staff? 14. Does TFL have any information regarding why these were issued? 15. Does TFL have any information regarding why these were not issued at an earlier date? 16. Does TFL intend to require all passengers on TFL over ground trains to wear facemasks at some future date? 17. Does TFL have any information as to how or whether any enforcement officers are being employed on the TFL over ground network to enquire from passengers whether their journeys are essential? TFL UNDERGROUND TRAINS 18. When were PPE facemasks issued to underground train ticket office staff and station staff? 19. Does TFL have any information regarding why these were issued? 20. Does TFL have any information regarding why these were not issued at an earlier date? 21. Does TFL intend to require all passengers on TFL underground trains to wear facemasks at some future date? 22. Does TFL have any information as to how or whether any enforcement officers are being employed on the TFL underground network to enquire from passengers whether their journeys are essential?

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Our ref: FOI-0198-2021/GH 

 

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9 May 2020 asking for information about the supply of PPE and staff protection measures. 

 

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. 

 

The safety of our staff and customers remains our number one priority, and we have been regularly reviewing the steps we are putting in place to ensure safety. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic our response has been aligned to Public Health England advice and guidance, with adjustments made as this has developed. 

 

As part of our response to operate a safe network for all essential travel, we have been working with the British Transport Police (BTP) on messaging to customers and to provide a presence at key transport locations and encourage only essential journeys to be made. TfL is working in accordance with the Government’s guidance on essential travel, and is working closely with the BTP who are working with customers and enforcing the ‘essential travel’ guidance. In the last six weeks, the BTP have issued 81 Fixed Penalty Notices to members of the public not complying with government direction on the TfL network. This figure has been kept low through officer engagement. We continue to work closely with the BTP as we adjust our approach to enforcement in line with the government’s phased responses to the coronavirus pandemic. 

 

PPE facemasks have been issued to TfL operational staff across the network as part of emergency kits that are in place for staff to utilise in situations where they are providing first aid to customers. 

 

Following a campaign from the London Mayor, and the Government’s announcements on Monday 11 May, face coverings are now advised to be worn in confined public environments, including on public transport. We had been preparing for such guidance, which is why face coverings have been made available to all TfL operational staff on Monday 11 May, in line with Government advice. We are also advising our customers to use a facial covering when travelling on our network. 

 

Current advice from scientific experts is that PPE is not required in non-care settings and could be counterproductive. Basic face coverings and masks are completely different from PPE, such as surgical masks and visors, which the current guidance says should be prioritised for use in medical health care settings only. 

 

Work started in late March to cover the existing plastic guards on Bus driver cabs with a plastic film to provide additional protection to our drivers, and alongside this we have implemented middle door only boarding on our Buses from Monday 20 April. A majority of our Bus fleets only have Oyster readers installed at the front of the bus, so therefore whilst middle door only boarding has been in operation, tapping in when boarding the bus has not been required on some buses where the readers are not available. 

 

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate 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. 

 

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. 

 

Yours sincerely 

 

Graham Hurt 

 

FOI Case Officer 

FOI Case Management Team 

General Counsel 

Transport for London 

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