Request ID: FOI-0810-2324 Date published: 07 July 2023
You asked
Hello TFL
I've noticed you have added these #ThankYouDriver campaign signs inside the bus. They are fantastic!
I've done a quick search and found this article with the photos.
https://www.theessentialmix.online/post/our-trial-is-live-encouraging-greater-kindness-on-london-buses
Would you be able to send me the documents containing these #ThankYouDriver campaign signs, please?
How much did the scheme cost?
Will these signs be rolled out to your entire London bus fleet?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0810-2324
Thank you for your request received on 15June 2023 asking for information about the #ThankYouDriver campaign.
Your request has been processed in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you requested.
Specifically you asked:
“Hello TFL
I've noticed you have added these #ThankYouDriver campaign signs inside the bus. They are fantastic!
Would you be able to send me the documents containing these #ThankYouDriver campaign signs, please?
How much did the scheme cost?
Will these signs be rolled out to your entire London bus fleet?”
I can confirm that this trial has not directly cost TfL anything. The scheme was funded by the National Lottery Fund in partnership with Neighbourly Lab as part of a kindness project. The sole purpose was to improve social interaction between our bus customers and drivers. The signs are still in their trial phase and more research is required within the exact communities that these buses serve to ensure we use language that aligns with our drivers and customers. We intend to roll these out on our upgraded Superloop buses by September 2023 and hope to continue this trial in the future supported by more research and available funding across our bus fleet.
However, in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide the documents requested as this is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2).
In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure of the campaign signs and the scheme’s cost would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests, as well as those of the suppliers. Disclosure of the signs would present commercial harm to the supplier as releasing documents containing the signs into the public domain would make the supplier’s work freely available, and would, in turn, allow competitors to benefit from the supplier’s designs. Disclosure of the signs would be likely to hinder the ability of the supplier to competitively tender for similar contracts in the future, as well as hinder TfL’s ability to negotiate the best value for money for similar services in the future.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest test. TfL recognises the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, particularly where the use of public assets are concerned, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that TfL and the third parties we engage with are able to obtain the best value from assets, outweighs the limited public interest in disclosure of this specific material.
If you are not satisfied with this response 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
