Freedom of Information request - AVAS Bus Soundtrack
Request ID: FOI-1491-2122 Date published: 05 November 2021
You asked
I am requesting the soundtrack of the AVAS ( Acoustic Vehicle Alert System ) currently used on " quiet " busses across London introduced on new quite busses from 2019
We answered
Our ref: FOI-1491-2122/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 14 October 2021 asking for the AVAS Bus Soundtrack.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we do hold the information you require, however, we are not obliged to provide you with the AVAS Bus Soundtrack as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice our commercial interests. The AVAS sound is our intellectual property and copyrighted. We provide it under licenced conditions on receipt of payment. Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this soundtrack for anything other than you own personal interest, disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we are able to obtain the best value for public money outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
