Request ID: FOI-0871-2122 Date published: 20 August 2021
You asked
On Monday evening, 26/07/21, I boarded an Eastbound District Line train. I was somewhat surprised and perturbed to notice that around 35% of travellers were not wearing facemasks in the carriages.
I had been led to believe that this was now a condition of travel, as imposed by TfL and the Mayor of London? So I have a few pertinent questions regarding this policy:
Q1 Since the wearing of masks in no longer a government statute, am I correct in thinking this no longer a matter of interest to British Transport Police?
Q2 As it is a condition of travel, isn’t it now solely the responsibility of TfL of enforce its conditions of travel?
Q3 How many TfL staff members are actively engaged in enforcing this condition of travel?
Q4 There are they operating currently? (e.g. At station entrances, at entry barriers, on the platforms, etc?)
Q5 Why is TfL currently tolerating 35% non-compliance?
Q6 At what level of non-compliance will TfL decide to abandon the whole facemask policy as it would, by then, have become completely unenforceable?
Q7 How any fines have TfL levied, since 19th July, for non-compliance of masks?
Q8 When will TfL start sending train inspectors into the carriages to ask non-compliance passengers to leave the trains?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0871-2122
Thank you for your request received on 27 July 2021 asking for information about the wearing of face coverings.
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 do hold the information you require. You asked for:
Q1 Since the wearing of masks in no longer a government statute, am I correct in thinking this no longer a matter of interest to British Transport Police?
Our policing partners in the British Transport Police and Metropolitan Police Service will continue to be on our network, and while they can't enforce our conditions of carriage, they will support us in ensuring we offer a safe environment to all our customers and colleagues and deter any crime and anti-social behaviour.
Q2 As it is a condition of travel, isn’t it now solely the responsibility of TfL of enforce its conditions of travel?
It is solely the responsibility of TfL to enforce its conditions of carriage.
Q3 How many TfL staff members are actively engaged in enforcing this condition of travel?
TfL employs approximately 400 enforcement staff, whose role includes the enforcement of the mask wearing requirement.
Q4 There are they operating currently? (e.g. At station entrances, at entry barriers, on the platforms, etc?)
Our teams are engaging in the majority of cases with our customers prior to boarding our services and entering our premises.
Q5 Why is TfL currently tolerating 35% non-compliance? We target our enforcement activity to areas with the lowest reported compliance levels, we find most customers are happy to comply once the requirements are explained. Q6 At what level of non-compliance will TfL decide to abandon the whole facemask policy as it would, by then, have become completely unenforceable? We are following government advice which states you should wear a face covering when in enclosed spaces or travelling on public transport. We keep our conditions of carriage under continual review. Q7 How any fines have TfL levied, since 19th July, for non-compliance of masks? TfL are unable to issue fines or prosecute customers for non-compliance as part of the conditions of carriage. Q8 When will TfL start sending train inspectors into the carriages to ask non-compliance passengers to leave the trains? The wearing of face coverings is a condition of carriage on TfL services, but this does not come with the same enforcement capability as we had under the previous nationwide regulations. We are unable to issue fines or prosecute customers for non-compliance as part of the conditions of carriage. We can prevent people from entering our network or request they leave and our operational officers continue to do this and to routinely remind passengers of the need to wear face coverings. Enforcement staff are deployed on trains, buses, at stations, and stops based on intelligence and customers feedback to ensure compliance with conditions of carriage. Our frontline staff at gate lines and bus drivers also continue to remind people that face coverings are a requirement. The MPS and BTP also still provide a visible presence on the TfL network to deter crime and anti-social behaviour.
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
