Request ID: FOI-0491-2122 Date published: 05 July 2021
You asked
1) A list of TfL bus stations that have Bus Station Controllers, and in their groups (I've heard Canning Town and Stratford are together and staff rotate, for example, so they may be grouped?) how many controllers work at each location at one time, and the opening hours of the information office that said controllers would staff.
2) When was the last (other than the currently advertised one) Bus Station Controller job advertisement? Was it internal, or internal and external? How many applied and were successful at each stage, how many were accepted, and how many positions were there to fill? Only the most recent campaign please.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0491-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 8 June 2021, asking for information about bus station controllers.
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 the information you require. You asked:
1) A list of TfL bus stations that have Bus Station Controllers, and in their groups (I've heard Canning Town and Stratford are together and staff rotate, for example, so they may be grouped?) how many controllers work at each location at one time, and the opening hours of the information office that said controllers would staff.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply this information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 38(1)(b) of the Act. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use the information for anything other than your own personal interest, disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’ and in this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to adversely affect the safety and security of TfL employees and members of the general public.
This information could be obtained by individuals who may wish to use it to cause disruption or harm, as they could identify when staff are not present or observe their movements. This information would also reveal the potential work patterns of an employee that may work alone, or be entering or leaving the stations / in transit whilst on duty.
The use of the exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. Although we recognise that there is a public expectation of transparency and a public interest in ensuring that the bus station is effectively staffed, disclosure of this information would be likely to risk the health and safety of individuals as it could assist someone with malicious intent to cause disruption, endangering the safety of staff and public. The public interest in protecting individuals and our infrastructure is our upmost priority.
2) When was the last (other than the currently advertised one) Bus Station Controller job advertisement? Was it internal, or internal and external? How many applied and were successful at each stage, how many were accepted, and how many positions were there to fill? Only the most recent campaign please.
Please see the requested information below;
Internal advert 09/10/2019 to 22/10/2019 External advert 09/10/2019 to 11/10/2019 232 applications 38 shortlisted 7 hired 7 vacancies
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
Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
