Our Ref: FOI-0989-1718
Thank you for your request received on 25 July 2017 asking for information about revenue protection inspections on the New Routemaster 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 do hold the information you require. You asked for:
• Under the FOI Act I would like to ask if TFL monitors the potential loss of income from passengers who board Routemaster buses in particular through the middle or rear doors?
• What is the procedure to overcome this?
• What procedures are in place re inspectors? How many spot inspections are carried out on Routemaster compared to traditional buses
• If figures are available I would like them for the last 3 years on spreadsheet format broken down to each bus route
We monitor the rates of fare evasion on the bus network through an independent survey, conducted by a third party contractor.
The most recent quarterly independent Greater London Bus Passenger Survey, for January to March 2017, shows the overall rate for fare evasion on the network as 1.4% (including New Route Masters (NRMs)). The figure for NRMs, within this report was 3.5% and broadly the same as other high volume routes on the network. The comparison against “standard double decker” is not available.
While fare evasion rates on NRMs are higher than on other buses, we are making a concerted effort to ensure these particular routes receive an enhanced level of attention from Revenue Protection Inspectors (RPIs). Due to our intelligence led deployment processes and focus on reducing revenue loss on the network, around a quarter of RPIs’ time is currently spent checking tickets on these buses.
We have also been running targeted activities at peak times and locations including some joint operations with the police. For example, Operation Atlas takes place every four weeks with police officers from the MPS Roads & Transport Policing Command (RTPC) and RPIs on the top five routes for antisocial behaviour, Driver Incident Reports and fare evasion.
Attached is a table showing the number of NRMs checked by RPIs by route and since conversion.
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 as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
[email protected]
