TfL Ref: 1177-1920

Thank you for your request received by us on 23 July 2019 asking for information about tinted windows on the public transport network.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:

how many public transport vehicles have tinted windows to reduce heat gain from sunshine and ventilation and how many do not. What plans are there to install window tints and procedure to become an approved contractor to install tints. Please include trains, trams and busses.

I can advise that we have around 9,000 buses in the London Buses fleet, and all have tinted windows to reduce heat from sunlight and ventilation to improve comfort. They also have white roofs, plus ceiling and engine insulation to reflect heat. Double decker buses which make up around three quarters of the fleet have air cooling in the upper deck.

Likewise, all our 149 Docklands Light Railway trains have tinted windows, which have upper panes that can open for added ventilation.

The entire TfL Rail fleet of trains features slightly tinted windows, with those in the driver’s cabin having a deeper tint to prevent a glare in their line of vision.

London Overground trains are air conditioned and do not have tinted windows.

London Underground carriage windows are tinted to aid heat reduction in the 92TS fleet of trains, whilst windows in the 73TS fleet are not tinted. Bakerloo and Victoria line trains do not have tinted windows, the latter of which is the only London Underground line that runs completely sub-surface. However, the windows are as per specified by London Underground Limited engineering standard RSE-STD-013 and BS_857-1967. Furthermore, roof panels on some trains have been covered in a heat reflecting wrap to reduce heat into the saloons. It is also worth noting that a fleet of 192 modern, air-conditioned, walk-through S-stock trains run across the Circle, Hammersmith & City, District and Metropolitan lines.

In reference to other train services, you may wish to contact the individual train operating companies directly, as these are not managed by TfL. Please see the following link to National Rail’s website for their details at: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tocs_maps/tocs/TrainOperators.aspx

Information about how to become a TfL supplier, together with procurement guidance can be found via the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/suppliers-and-contractors/

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

Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
Information Governance
Transport For London