Request ID: FOI-0413-2425 Date published: 03 June 2024
You asked
Data on the number of reported bed bug incidents on TfL services in the past two years (April 2022 - April 2024). This should include:
• A breakdown of the number of reports / instances by month
• The specific locations where bed bugs have been reported (e.g. bus route, tube line, station)
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0413-2425
Thank you for your request received on 3 May 2024 asking for information about bed bugs on our network.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
I can confirm that we have not identified any occurrences of bed bugs on our services in the last two years, nor have any reported sightings been confirmed by our operational or cleaning teams. We are also clear in our view that the public transport network is not conducive to the presence of bed bugs, and that, as per NHS guidance, they pose a low risk to human health. However, we are not complacent and we continue to closely monitor our network and take all possible precautionary measures. We continue to implement our rigorous and thorough cleaning measures that have been proven to keep both the interior and exterior of our vehicles clean. We are committed to providing a clean and safe environment on our bus, Tube and rail service for our customers and staff, and we would like to reassure our customers that we continue to maintain our already high standards of cleanliness, so our staff and customers can use the network safely and with confidence. As part of our continuous work to implement our rigorous and thorough cleaning measures, last year our cleaning teams working on TfL services were briefed on how to effectively identify any bedbugs and immediately report back if they were to be found. As part of this, TfL has also provided additional guidance to operators across its network to ensure that there is a consistent approach. This was developed following conversations with other companies who operate services across Europe such as RATP, Keolis and Eurostar, as well as Heathrow airport. TfL has always had a robust cleaning regime in place across London’s public transport network in order to provide a pleasant and clean environment for our customers. Buses are cleaned at the end of each shift and undergo a deep clean at intervals. Additionally, during the mid-life of a bus, they are also refurbished including replacement of seat covers. All of our rail lines have a rigorous cleaning schedule in place for both the interior and exterior of the trains.
You asked for:
• Data on the number of reported bed bug incidents on TfL services in the past two years (April 2022 - April 2024). This should include: o A breakdown of the number of reports / instances by month o The specific locations where bed bugs have been reported (e.g. bus route, tube line, station)
Please see the table below, which relate to any enquiries into our customer services department that made a specific reference to bedbugs. To reiterate, none of these have been confirmed by our operational or cleaning teams. Please note – these will include a range of enquiries, including customers who claimed they may have seen a bed bug on our services, those asking for further information about what we are doing to address any potential infestation and questions about our cleaning programme.
Year / Month
Bus
London Overground
London Underground
TfL (general)
2022
Feb
1
0
0
0
Sep
0
0
1
0
2023
Jul
0
0
1
0
Oct
3
0
13
1
Nov
2
0
1
0
Dec
1
1
0
0
2024
0
0
0
0
Grand Total
7
1
16
1
Please see the tables below for details of the routes:
Bus Reports:
Year / Month / Route
Number of reported instances
2022
February
H91
1
2023
October
109
2
25
1
November
149
1
SL9
1
December
176
1
London Underground and London Overground reports:
Year / Month / Line / Station
Number of reported instances
2022
September
Northern – Tottenham Court Road
1
2023
July
Central – Roding Valley
1
October
Central – Oxford Circus
2
District - Monument
1
Hammersmith & City – Ladbroke Grove
1
Jubilee – Baker Street
1
Jubilee – No station provided
1
Metropolitan – King’s Cross
1
Northern – Finchley Road
1
Northern - London Bridge
1
Northern - Totteridge & Whetstone
1
Victoria - Seven Sisters
2
Victoria - Victoria
1
November
Metropolitan - Farringdon
1
December
Highbury and Islington to New Cross branch – no station provided
1
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. Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
