We are endeavouring to establish therefore what role TfL play as a body responsible for bus transport with regards to 1. The design and safety specifications for driver doors that cannot be locked from the inside, together with TfL’s requirements for risk assessing, maintain and/or installing same 2. The design and safety specifications for driver safety screens including TfL’s requirements for risk assessing, maintain and/or installing same

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TfL Ref: FOI-1211-2021

Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 29 September 2020, asking about the design and safety specifications for driver doors and screens on TfL’s buses.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked: 

1.  The design and safety specifications for driver doors that cannot be locked from the inside, together  with TfL’s  requirements for risk assessing, maintain and/or installing same 

2.  The design and safety specifications for driver safety screens including TfL’s  requirements for risk assessing, maintain and/or installing same

Please find the attached extract from the New Bus Technical Specification standards which sets outs the design, safety and performance minimum standards driver assault screens are required to meet. In service, routine maintenance and repairs are carried out by the operator to ensure driver protection is maintained throughout the operational life of the vehicle.  

Each bus operator will discuss with the bus manufacturer their own specific safety, design and performance requirements. Both the door and assault screen serviceability will be examined by operator engineering staff as part of the legally required safety inspections intervals to ensure they are free from any defects that could compromise any of the requirements as above. Drivers are also required to carry out visual walk round checks to ensure their bus is free from defects before driving it. If defect(s) are found the driver must report it.  

The door locking systems which are in place on most buses in compliance with this specification are that, once the driver cab door is closed and the locking system is engaged, it can only be unlocked and opened from the inside. A security locking system is used on the outside which requires a special key to unlock the door. There is no access to the inside door lock handle from the outside once the door is closed.

To further protect drivers, there is also a requirement for a siren assault alarm which actives the bus hazard lights.

We do not conduct risk assessments on behalf of the operator. The Bus Specification defines minimum design and performance standards. The specification is reviewed periodically or when new legislation/regulation is introduced to ensure the bus fleet adopts and incorporates the latest best practice, and regulatory compliance in terms of safety, design and performance. A recent example of this is the new design standards now required on driver assault screens to offer the best protection to the driver from the spread of COVID 19. 

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 Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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