TfL Ref: FOI-1116-2425
Thank you for your request which we received on 5 July 2024, asking for information about ULEZ.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You specifically asked:
1. How many people have refused to pay your fine and how much this amounts too.
This information has been provided before, and is published on the FOI pages of our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-4467-2324.
2. How much money has been spent on chasing people and taking them to court for not paying the fine compared to how many people just paid the ridiculous £12.50 fee.
We do not hold this information.
3. How much money has been spent 'improving' bus services in greater London because I can tell you now the service is worse than ever before.
We are constantly improving our bus network to keep it reliable and efficient. The Bus Action Plan provides information on spend.
All the different improvement schemes are also listed here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/improving-buses.
4. How much it has cost to replace the equipment which has been damaged by angry members of the public and the policing and other deterrents
In accordance with the EIRs, we are not obliged to supply this information as it is subject to a statutory exception to the right of access to information under regulations R12(5)(a) – international relations, defence, national security & public safety (in this instance specifically public safety), regulation 12(5)(b) – the course of justice, the ability of a person to receive a fair trial or the ability of the public authority to conduct and inquiry of a criminal or disciplinary nature – (in this instance specifically the course of justice), and regulation 12(5)(e) – confidentially of commercial or industrial information where such confidentiality is provide by law to protect a legitimate economic interest.
The rationale for this is explained in more detail in a decision notice relating to a previous information request which is available on the Information Commissioner’s website here: ic-271220-r9q1.pdf (ico.org.uk)
5. Why a 2018 diesel van that on paper has more emissions than a 2010 diesel BBW doesn’t have to pay yet the BBW does. I have asked this question many times beforehand never receive an answer
Please see our previous replies published on the FOI pages of our website, which answer your question on vehicle compliance:
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-2867-2223
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-3195-2223
6. Tell everyone the real reason you brought the charge out and stop lying. The air quality is no better than it was before - this was just another money making scam.
The aim of the ULEZ is to help improve air quality by reducing the number of vehicles in London that do not meet emissions standards. It is a statutory requirement that any net revenue generated by our road charging schemes (the ULEZ, LEZ or the Congestion Charge) is reinvested back into London’s transport network, including investing in improving transport links in outer London. All money received from the ULEZ is reinvested into improving London’s public transport network, such as expanding bus routes in outer London.
Please see this previous reply, published on the FOI pages of our website, which provides the rationale for the expansion of the ULEZ scheme across London:
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-2672-2223
7. Why do you want to expand the ULEZ to my town in surrey even though we are the greenest leafiest county but we don’t get to use oyster cards, we don’t get London Living Wage or have a vote on who the mayor of London is making decisions for us!!!
The rationale is explained in the above quoted response and also on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez-expansion-2023
8. How do you collect your results and statistics because many scientists and even just regular people can see that your figures are just not adding up
Please see this previous reply published on the FOI pages of our website, which provides links to the data that is used to monitor air quality in London, and explains that the decision to expand ULEZ London-wide has seen a reduction in older, more polluting vehicles seen driving in the zone, as seen in the London-wide ULEZ first month report: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0025-2425.
An assessment of measured pollutant concentrations, including roadside NO2, will be included as part of the ULEZ six-month report - which will allow sufficient time for robust monitoring - due to be published later this year.
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
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London