Please treat this as a FOI so you can provide me with the following info that TFL might hold A copy of the tube drivers operational or training handbook which is similar to the one for bus drivers which is commonly called the Little Red Book If this is line specific I only require the ones for the Met and Central Lines and if they do exist can these be sent r separately

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TfL Ref: FOI-0290-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27^th May 2020 asking for information about train driver operating procedures.

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 treat this as a FOI so you can provide me with the following info that TFL might hold:

A copy of the tube drivers operational or training handbook which is similar to the one for bus drivers which is commonly called the Little Red Book

If this is line specific I only require the ones for the Met and Central Lines and if they do exist can these be sent separately.”

There is no exact equivalent of the buses Little Red Book for the London Underground. Rather, there are a series of separate ‘Rule Books’ which cover different aspects of the train drivers’ role. These books are exempt from disclosure under sections 24 (National Security) and 38 (Health and Safety) of the Freedom of Information Act.

In this instance the exemptions have been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested could assist any persons wishing to disrupt London’s transport infrastructure by placing into the public domain information which would otherwise not be available via other means. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own interest, disclosure of information under FOI has to be regarded as a disclosure to the public at large. As you will no doubt be aware, the transport system in London has been the target of attacks in the past. The information contained in the Rule Books details technical information about the operation of the network which could be of use for anyone seeking to research or plan for such an attack or to actively cause disruption to the network.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has previously issued a Decision Notice regarding the application of sections 24 and 38 to withhold information in relation to security at transport hubs. Whilst the information requested in this case is different to the information you have requested, we believe the same arguments can be applied:

https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2017/2013536/fs50633090.pdf

The use of the section 24 and 38 exemptions are subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, and acknowledge that there may be some public interest in the information in question. However, as we believe this information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to use it to cause disruption or harm to London’s transport infrastructure, in this instance we believe that minimising the risk to that infrastructure and protecting the safety and welfare of members of the general public and our staff outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

On a more general matter, please note that 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 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

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