Hi How many passengers have been fined for failing to wear a face mask since they recently became compulsory? Thank you.

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Our ref: FOI-0492-2021/GH 

 

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27 June 2020 asking for information about fines for failing to wear a face mask. 

 

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. 

 

TfL’s initial approach was to focus on engagement and explanation of the new requirement by frontline staff, through extensive customer-facing communications and behaviour change activity. Over three weeks, following the announcement, over 100,000 complimentary facemasks were handed out by frontline staff at the busiest train and bus stations to encourage compliance, supported by a visible police and uniformed presence once mandatory face coverings on public transport were announced. We have been running an extensive communications campaign that has included posters and PA announcements to make our customers aware. We also have put measures in place for our operational teams to report issues to us. 

 

Initial reports indicate that the majority of passengers are complying with these regulations, with compliance at around 90%.

As more customers understand this requirement, in line with our plans, our officers have progressed to the enforcement stage, taking a more robust approach with customers who don’t comply with regulations. Enforcement include refusing entry to passengers who do not comply with the requirement, ejection or being issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). In line with the approach taken by our policing partners, an FPN is be issued as a last resort, with the emphasis remaining on achieving compliance. 

 

Every day hundreds of people not wearing a face covering are being stopped from travelling until they do so. Fixed penalty notices are a last resort but they will be issued where necessary. Between 4 and 10 July, TfL Officers issued 46 FPNs on TfL buses. The British Transport Police (BTP) issue FPNs on London Underground, so you may wish to contact them regarding any fines issued on the Underground. 

 

If this is not the information you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

 

The impact of current circumstances on TfL’s resources means 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. 

 

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. 

 

Yours sincerely 

 

Graham Hurt 

FOI Case Officer 

FOI Case Management Team 

General Counsel 

Transport for London 

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