Follow up from 1211-2021 1. As the incident happened 03.10.17 may we have the New Bus Technical Specification in place then? 2. You say ‘The door locking systems which are in place on most buses in compliance with this ‘specification’..’ May we please have a copy of that specification in place 03.10.17 3. You say ‘ 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.’ As we explained this door had no locking system on the inside -thus it can neither be locked/unlocked on the inside. i) Do you have specification as of 03.10.17 for doors that cannot be locked on the inside ii) Do you have a specification as of 03.10.17 that all doors must be lockable from the inside?

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TfL Ref: FOI-1438-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 23 October 2020, asking for further information about the new bus specifications.

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. You asked:

1. As the incident happened 03.10.17 may we have the New Bus Technical Specification in place then?
2. You say ‘The door locking systems which are in place on most buses in compliance with this ‘specification’..’ May we please have a copy of that specification in place 03.10.17
3. You say ‘ 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.’ As we explained this door had no locking system on the inside -thus it can neither be locked/unlocked on the inside.

1. Do you have specification as of 03.10.17 for doors that cannot be locked on the inside

    

2. Do you have a specification as of 03.10.17 that all doors must be lockable from the inside?

Please find attached the Vehicle Operational Spec Version 2 2013 document, which were the technical standards in place in 2017.

A new bus build technical specification document was introduced in December 2018 requiring all buses going forward to comply with new technical standards, and safety requirements, which we have provided to you in our previous reply.

The bus build technical specification defines the minimum output and performance standards needed for London bus services. The manufacturer and operator will agree any final design and/or methods on how the output and performance requirements are achieved. The specification standards do not mandate locked inner doors.

The driver’s cab door provides a route by which the driver accesses the emergency exit doors should they need to  evacuate in an emergency. A lock mechanism that requires the driver to use a separate key to open the door is not fitted, so it can be opened easily and quickly in the event of an emergency evacuation.

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

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