TfL Ref: FOI-1159-2021

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.

Please note the enforcement of face coverings on public transport started on 4 July 2020.

You asked for:

The number of inspections made since April 2020 on public transport in relation to compliance with the law relating to the wearing of face masks on public transport. I would ask for information held in respect of both the number of deployments and the number of interactions with the public.

Between 4 July and 30 September, TfL Operations Officers have been deployed on 2,025 face covering related deployments. Feedback collected by officers does not include the number of officers deployed at each location, and one deployment may include multiple shifts at the same location, with multiple officers. For your request, we counted one location as one deployment.

Between 4 July and 2 October, TfL Operations Officers have recorded 103,410  interactions with public for non-compliance of face coverings.

The number of fines issued and/or prosecutions made/initiated in relation to breaches of the law relating to the wearing of face masks on public transport during this period.

Between 4 July and 2 October, TfL Operations Officers have:

1. Refused 7,478 passengers’ entry to a TfL service
2. Removed 1,749 from a TfL service
3. Between 4 July and 2 October, TfL issued 387 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to passengers. FPNs are issued as a last resort, with officers’ primary goal being achieving compliance.
4. TfL has not currently prosecuted any passengers for non-compliance with face covering regulations. Where the FPN remains unpaid after the 28-day period, TfL will initiate prosecution proceedings.  

The resources deployed by TfL in relation to The enforcement of laws relating to COVID-19 safety measures on public transport. 

Approximately 380 TfL Operations Officers have been used to carry out face covering related activities. These officers work alongside revenue and enforcement teams working across the London Underground, Rail and Tram networks as well as with the British Transport Police (BTP) and Metropolitan Police Service Roads and Transport Policing Command.

Copy of TfL’s Duty of Care in relation to passenger safety during COVID-19 and specifically the wearing of masks on public transport.

TfL’s Duty of Care stems from common law. There is no specific TfL Duty of Care document held by TfL.

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.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate 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

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London