Request ID: FOI-1319-2223 Date published: 21 September 2022
You asked
I have a question about the blue lighting on the D7 bus route. I believe from research that this lighting is intended to make it more difficult for injection drug users to find a vein to inject in. I'd like to know the answers to the following questions:
- Am I correct that the purpose of this lighting is to deter injection drug users?
If this is the case:
- What metrics have been studied to learn if this has been effective?
- Based on these metrics, has this been effective?
- What impact does TfL believe this has on drug abuse overall in London? That is to say, is there reason to believe any reduction in use isn't simply displaced to elsewhere?
- What impact does this have/is this expected to have on safety of drug users who may attempt to inject despite this lighting?
- What impact does this have/is this expected to have on the general public who may find it more difficult to see any hazardous litter left on a bus with such dim, blue lighting?
If this is not the case:
- What is the purpose of these lights?
In any case:
- What risk assessment has been done in relation to the installation of these lights? Please share this risk assessment.
- What discussion took place regarding the impact on accessibility this may have, especially to customers with visual impairments and neurodivergent customers?
- What, if any, plans are in place to expand this lighting elsewhere in the London bus network? If any, will there be a public comment period prior to its introduction?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1319-2223
Thank you for your request received on 1 September 2022 asking for information about the D7 bus lighting.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
We do not hold the information you have requested. An audit of the London bus contracted fleet is carried out once a year. The data provides information such as the fleet size and average age by operator for comparison with previous audits. This information is provided to us by the bus operators. They do not provide information on lighting.
The choice of which model bus will operate a route is dependent on several factors including the average ridership of the route and the vehicles available to that operator. Bus operators can, and often do, move buses between routes to maintain an effective service; any bus in their fleet can be used on any of their routes.
Non-white lighting is a practice widely used in the bus industry to reduce reflections in the windscreen for the driver to improve their visibility in poor lighting conditions particularly at night time, whilst providing sufficient lighting for customers as they board and alight services.
If you require further information please contact the relevant bus operators whose details can be found on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/who-runs-your-bus?intcmp=44680.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
