Our Ref:         FOI-0928-2021

Thank you for your request received on 27 August 2020 asking for information about the use of face coverings on the TfL network.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of 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, more than 100,000 complementary 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 includes refusing entry to passengers who do not comply with the requirement, ejection, or issuing a fixed penalty (FPN). In line with the approach taken by our policing partners, a 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. 

TfL enforcement of the face covering requirement was scaled up on 4 July. Since that date TfL enforcement officers have stopped over 83,000 people from getting on our public transport services until they put on a face covering. The majority complied with the request by getting their face covering from their bag or pocket, putting it on correctly or purchasing one from a nearby shop. Over 6000 passengers have been prevented from boarding and around 1550 passengers have been ejected from our service for not wearing a face covering. TfL enforcement officers engage with all passengers and many travelling do have an exemption from wearing a face covering and are able to continue travelling without.

Between Saturday 4 July – Friday 28 August, 350 FPNs have been issued by TfL to those refusing to comply. FPNs are a last resort but they will be used where necessary. Fines are not issued on the spot by our enforcement teams. Passengers details are taken at the time and the FPN is issued by TfL’s Investigation and Prosecutions Team after verification checks have been completed.
 
The British Transport Police are also engage with passengers and stopping those without a face covering and who are not exempt from travelling. The numbers above does not include police enforcement.

Please note that the above information is for FPNs issued on buses and trams. Enforcement of face masks on London’s Rail networks, including London Underground, London Overground and Docklands Light Railway is carried out by the British Transport Police (BTP). The number of FPNs they have issued to date would need to be requested from them: http://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/your_right_to_information/freedom_of_information.aspx.

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

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

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

[email protected]