-how many people exempt from wearing masks have not attempted to use TfL because of your communications and approaches to job mask wearers? -how many people exempt from wearing masks have you stopped from boarding your services? -how many people exempt from wearing masks have you removed from your services? -how many people exempt from wearing masks have been issue penalty notices? -what is your policy on unsolicited photography of passengers on your stations or services? -how many people have you removed from stations or services because they have threatened non mask wearers? As TFL has published its own data on how many people you have stopped from 1) entering premises, 2) stopped from boarding services and 3) removed from services it is reasonable and proportionate to ask as to how many of those were exempt. I would like the FOI to cover the period in which TGL has been collecting data on these 3 areas. It is reasonable to expect a response within 20 days - TFL have either collected this data (in which case you can draw down quickly as you have your published stats) or you haven’t (in which case say you haven’t). I would like the information for all the London transport and public services that you have provided data on for 1,2 and 3 above. I would also like your policy on on individuals taking unsolicited photos of your customers on your premises.

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Our Ref:         FOI-1368-2021

Thank you for your request received on 16 October 2020 asking for information about the use of face coverings on our services.

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

• How many people exempt from wearing masks have not attempted to use TfL because of your communications and approaches to job mask wearers?

We do not hold this information as this is not something we have, or are able to, measure.

• How many people exempt from wearing masks have you stopped from boarding your services?

None, persons claiming an exemption are not stopped from using our services.

• How many people exempt from wearing masks have you removed from your services?

None, persons claiming an exemption are not removed from our services.

• How many people exempt from wearing masks have been issue penalty notices?

There has been one fixed penalty notice issued to someone who said they were exempt from wearing a mask. This was subsequently cancelled.

• What is your policy on unsolicited photography of passengers on your stations or services?

We receive many requests from tourists, train enthusiasts, budding photographers and customers 'passing through' a station who may want to take photographs for their own personal use.  We agree that this is acceptable, at the station's discretion, so long as additional camera equipment (including flash and tripods) is not used.

People filming or taking photographs for their own purposes on TfL's network are responsible for ensuring they comply with the privacy requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

More information can be found on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/filming-and-photography/filming-and-photography-on-tfl?intcmp=1594.

• How many people have you removed from stations or services because they have threatened non mask wearers?

None, threatening behaviour as described is a criminal offence which would be handled by the Metropolitan Police (Met) and the British Transport Police (BTP). Please contact the Met and BTP directly if you require further information on this:

https://www.met.police.uk/foi-ai/af/accessing-information/
https://www.btp.police.uk/about_us/your_right_to_information/freedom_of_information.aspx

Staff and customers have the right to travel on our network without fear of threat or intimidation, and we assist BTP in investigations into incidents of this nature.

We also remind our customers to treat everyone on the network with respect and compassion, and to understand that some customers and staff will be unable to wear a face covering for reasons that may not be immediately obvious. We know that some who are exempt appreciate a way to demonstrate this and have provided a downloadable card and have produced a badge for those who find them easier.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.

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.

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

[email protected]

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