In the recently released witness statement of Helen Chapman of June 2018 (paragraph 37) it is revealed TFL carried out a compliance inspection of Uber London Ltd operator centre between 9-11 May 2018, I would be obliged if you would supply me with copies of the inspection report/documentation, the witness statement also confirms that the inspection was to verify (amongst other items) ‘the overall booking process for all bookings’ if costs permit please supply me the the guidelines compliance officers are given (explaining how to verify) in order to complete the inspection, so that the booking process conforms to private hire legislation

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TfL Ref: FOI-1070-1819

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 17 July 2018 asking for information about compliance inspections.

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. You asked:

In the recently released witness statement of Helen Chapman of June 2018 (paragraph 37) it is revealed TFL carried out a compliance inspection of Uber London Ltd operator centre between 9-11 May 2018, I would be obliged if you would supply me with copies of the inspection report/documentation, the witness statement also confirms that the inspection was to verify (amongst other items) ‘the overall booking process for all bookings’ if costs permit please supply me the guidelines compliance officers are given (explaining how to verify) in order to complete the inspection, so that the booking process conforms to private hire legislation.

All operator inspections are undertaken in line with the Private Hire Vehicle (London) 1998 Act and supporting regulations and legislation.

All aspects of an inspection are recorded through a Hand Held Device (HHD) allowing outcomes to be systematically captured electronically within the TfL licensing data base. There are two outcomes recorded; ‘Compliant’ so no further action or ‘Non compliant’. Non compliant reasons are captured in the adjoining notes section.

Please find attached (Appendix 1) the notes recorded from the compliance undertaken on 9^th – 11^th May 2018 of Uber London Ltd and an email summarising the inspection. All areas were compliant.

Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’.

In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply any information relating to compliance inspection guidelines, as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 38(1)(a) – Health and Safety.

Private Hire Drivers and operators are tasked with transporting passengers safely and the compliance inspections allow us to determine and ensure they are competent to do so.

In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested could lead to unauthorized access to compliance inspection guidelines, potentially allowing Private Hire drivers and operators to obtain licenses without due diligence and compromising the safety of passengers and the general public.

The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance we feel that ensuring the protection of vulnerable people, passengers and the public at large puts the balance in favour of withholding the information.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Melissa Nichols

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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