Request ID: FOI-1048-2223 Date published: 25 August 2022
You asked
Since 2012/13, for each year, the number for Driver Incident Reports (DIRs) for rough sleeping on the bus network.
Please also provide the breakdown of the bus lines that the reports related to.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1048-2223
Thank you for your request received on 1 August 2022 asking for information about rough sleeping on the bus 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 we do hold the information you require.
TfL is committed to working with the Mayor’s Office and homeless charities to identify and support rough sleepers that seek refuge on the transport system. Our staff regularly intervene and provide valuable assistance to anyone that needs help. The interventions will include putting them in contact with the appropriate outreach team or support service and in some cases when appropriate, the police.
Through Thames Reach, TfL funds a dedicated homeless outreach team which works directly on our services, including buses and the Tube. Although the Thames Reach Night Team is unique because they work on public transport, the team operate in a similar way to other outreach services – targeting locations via referrals from Streetlink (plus the intelligence passed via staff reports) and then trying to locate the rough sleepers, engage with them to understand their circumstances and then work with existing homeless services in London to connect the person with the most appropriate provision available.
All staff are advised to contact the police (or call Code Red if they are a bus driver) if they see a rough sleeper who is aggressive, needs urgent medical attention or is suspected to be under 18.
Bus drivers can report rough sleeping via iBus SMS reports, which is a TfL system for bus drivers to report non-emergency concerns; it has a category specific to rough sleepers, which was introduced in June 2019.
Please find the requested information attached.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, 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
