Cost of all Audio Contracts for tFL (Bus, Train, Tube, Stations)
Request ID: FOI-0332-2324 Date published: 13 June 2023
You asked
Hi there,
I'd like to know the £ amount for all the audio contracts for TfL.
We answered
TfL Ref: 0332-2324
Thank you again for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2 May 2023 and following clarification, 17 May 2023,asking for information about audio announcement contract expenditure.
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. You asked:
how much TfL pays annually for all of the audio announcements on trains, buses, the underground, the DLR and at stations. Including the breakdown of recording costs, voice artist costs, and any maintenance fees.
Please see the table below for the list of audio related contracts:
Project/Contract ID
Contract Title
Contract Start Date
Contract Expiry Date
Total Contract Value
LCW28244
On Board Bus Announcement Recordings Extension
01/05/2014
30/04/2026
£25,000
LCW6608
tfl_scp_000807 On Board Bus Announcement Recordings
01/05/2014
30/04/2026
£25,000
CW47271
Radio License for London Underground operational Sites
05/03/2023
05/03/2028
£325,588
CW47276
Umbrella License for Station Coverage
10/08/2022
10/08/2024
£66,330
The IFS Cloud Cable Car has an annual license agreement with PPL PRS Ltd to allow music to be played in public areas. This year’s license fee was £10,130.15.
Please also note that as there is limited contract annual spend information readily available, we have provided total contract values.
Additionally, audio elements across our network tend to be included as part of a larger contracts, therefore we are unable to attribute specific costs associated to audio alone.
In reference to our London Buses services, we can advise that there is no specific dedicated ‘audio contract in this regard. This is because the original costs associated with bus announcements were part of the iBus contract that was implemented more than 13 years ago. Audio is an extremely small element of this contract, which covers all of the technology used on buses. There are no annual costs solely dedicated to audio. The voice of iBus is provided on retainer to provide additional voice clips on an ad hoc basis as and when required. This is rarely necessary as we have recordings saved that can be spliced together to make the necessary announcements. Nor are there any ‘Performing Rights’ costs paid.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, 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
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
