Freedom of Information Request: Details of Bus Advertising on the TfL Networ
Request ID: FOI-0546-2425 Date published: 30 May 2024
You asked
Dear Transport for London Freedom of Information Team,
I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information regarding the advertising on buses within the TfL network.
Please provide the following details:
1. The total number of buses currently operating on the TfL network.
2. The number of these buses that feature advertising.
3. A breakdown of the types of advertising formats used on these buses, specifically:
• T-Side adverts
• Supersides
• Streetliners
• Bus rears & backs
• Mega rears
• Bus headliners
• Full wrapped buses
• Routemaster style advertising
For clarity and reference on advertising types, please see the definitions and examples provided at Transport Media's Bus Advertising Page.
I request that the information be provided in a tabular format, with each category listed separately. If this information is available electronically, I would prefer to receive it in that format to facilitate review.
If processing this request is likely to exceed the cost limits specified under the Act, please provide guidance on how I might refine my request to comply with these limits.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response within the statutory period of 20 working days.
Kindest Regards
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0546-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on15 May 2024 asking for information about bus advertising.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply March 2024 bus fleet data as this information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information, under Section 22 of the FOI Act.In this instance the exemption has been applied as the information you have requested is intended for future publication. We intend to publish March 2024 bus fleet data by the end of June.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test, which requires us to assess whether the public interest in applying the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities and the particular public interest in disclosure of this information. However in this instance, it is considered that the public interest favours the publication of this information, in context and according to the pre-determined schedule, rather than in response to your request, to ensure the information is provided accurately and in an accessible manner.
In response to elements two and three of your request, the advertising on buses is managed by the bus operators and not by TfL. For information on the number of buses featuring advertising and the breakdown of advertising formats, you may wish to contact the bus operators directly, their contact details are published on our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/who-runs-your-bus
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Abidakun FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
