Off Peak Cap & Single Journey times for Elizabeth Line non-Oyster stations.
Request ID: FOI-0214-2324 Date published: 16 May 2023
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Please supply the following information:
1) The earliest touch in time to allow for an Off Peak fare cap for Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead, Taplow, Burnham, Slough, Langley, Iver and Shenfield stations.
2) The maximum single journey times from Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead, Taplow, Burnham, Slough, Langley, Iver and Shenfield stations.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0214-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19th April 2023 asking for information about the Elizabeth Line.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Please supply the following information:
1) The earliest touch in time to allow for an Off Peak fare cap for Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead, Taplow, Burnham, Slough, Langley, Iver and Shenfield stations. 2) The maximum single journey times from Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead, Taplow, Burnham, Slough, Langley, Iver and Shenfield stations.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
In answer to Question 1, the Off-Peak cap times that vary from the normal 09:30 Monday to Friday time are published on the TfL website via the following link (under the “Off-peak caps at different times” heading):
In answer to Question 2, TfL does not publish these journey times as they are applied for revenue protection purposes. Knowledge of the precise times that are allowed for customers to complete their journey could be used to avoid full payment of the fare due. The information is therefore exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, on the basis that to release it would prejudice TfL’s commercial interests.
The application of this exemption is subject to consideration of the ‘Public Interest Test’, to determine whether the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying or not. We recognise 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 for release. However, TfL also has a duty to consider the public purse in the operation of our business, given we are largely funded by public money in the form of grants from Government and fares from passengers. In this instance we believe that the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying, to ensure that passengers pay the correct fare and TfL does not lose revenue that is due. This stance is further supported by the fact that some indicative times and guidance for passengers on this matter are already published on the TfL website via the following link (note that these are only a rough guide rather than absolute indication of the time permitted):
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
