Request ID: FOI-0748-2122 Date published: 05 August 2021
You asked
I would like to know if London Bus Operators :
1. Are using audio recording inside the buses?
2. There are any audio recording devices placed in the driver's cab of the buses?
If so:
1. What are the recordings used for?
2. Is this a contractual obligation from you to London Bus Operators?
Can operators record bus driver conversation in the bus cab without his/ her written concern. If they can than it's not the breach of GPR( data protection act.
Pls kindly inform.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0748-2122
Thank you for your request received on 12 July 2021 asking for information about recording devices in buses.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked for:
1. Are using audio recording inside the buses? 2. There are any audio recording devices placed in the driver's cab of the buses?
In the case of some new buses, operators are introducing audio recording. This is only in the area of the drivers’ cab, facing where customers board the bus. Most of the fleet still uses CCTV systems without audio as that was what was introduced at the time.
If so: 3. What are the recordings used for?
We do not hold the specific reasons for what recordings will be used for as these will be set out in each operator’s private impact assessment as part of the documentation they submit to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for formal approval.
4. Is this a contractual obligation from you to London Bus Operators?
It is not something we mandate as part of our requirements. It is up to operators if they wish to enhance the systems on their vehicles. Where they do so, our expectation is of course that the audio recording systems comply with the General Data Protection Regulations, are registered with the ICO, include a privacy impact assessment and feature a privacy notice on the company’s respective website. If they include audio recordings, we suggest these apply to incident data recorders and have microphones that allow conversations immediately around the driver to be heard and include signs informing passengers that audio is in operation.
5. Can operators record bus driver conversation in the bus cab without his/ her written concern. If they can than it's not the breach of GPR( data protection act.
Our understanding is that buses with audio recording and retention equipment must display clearly-visible signs on the bus to inform anyone using the vehicle that audio recording is taking place and that the signs should include the operator’s contact details. We do not believe individual permission is required but you may wish to check this with the ICO. Although it may not be required, at some garages we believe the companies and their local union representatives fully support systems being fitted on the grounds that they provide more protection for drivers and a better chance of prosecuting customers for verbal, physical and hate abuse.
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free 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
