Request ID: FOI-1521-2324 Date published: 30 August 2023
You asked
Detailed Car Diagrams of the 2009 Stock Trains:
Schematics or diagrams outlining the internal layout of the 2009 Stock trains currently in service on the Victoria Line.
Information about the arrangement and number of seats, standing areas, doors, handrails, and any designated spaces within each car of the 2009 Stock trains.
Victoria Line Announcements:
Audio recordings or written transcripts of the announcements made on the Victoria Line, including but not limited to safety instructions, station names, service updates, and other relevant information, within the time period of 2015 to 2023.
I understand that there may be sensitive information within these documents, and I assure you that I am only seeking information that is necessary for public awareness and understanding of the transportation system. I am particularly interested in examining the layout of the 2009 Stock trains and understanding the clarity and comprehensibility of the announcements made on the Victoria Line.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1521-2324
Thank you for your request which we received on 8 August 2023, asking for information about the Victoria Line.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm TfL does hold the information you require. You asked for:
Detailed Car Diagrams of the 2009 Stock Trains:
Schematics or diagrams outlining the internal layout of the 2009 Stock trains currently in service on the Victoria Line. Information about the arrangement and number of seats, standing areas, doors, handrails, and any designated spaces within each car of the 2009 Stock trains.
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
Victoria Line Announcements:
Audio recordings or written transcripts of the announcements made on the Victoria Line, including but not limited to safety instructions, station names, service updates, and other relevant information, within the time period of 2015 to 2023.
Please find the Victoria Line transcripts attached.
With regards to the audio announcements, we are not obliged to supply these audio files for the Victoria Line as the information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2).
In this instance section 43(2) has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of TfL and/or the company used to provide the recordings. The recordings in question were provided to London Underground under a signed contracts which contained explicit conditions concerning disclosure and distribution.
These contracts specify that the recordings are solely to be used for the purpose for which they were created and for broadcast on the London Underground network only. If TfL were to disclose these recordings in response to an FOI request, it would constitute an actionable breach of contract and would be likely to result in a valid legal claim against London Underground or the license to use the recordings being withdrawn, which would impose additional, unnecessary, costs. TfL wishes to protect its commercial interests and ability to participate in future commercial activity. The disclosure of this information would be to the detriment of present and future business activities for both parties.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. TfL recognises the need for openness and transparency within public authorities and the degree of public interest concerning London transport announcements in light of the recent disclosure of iBus announcements. However, in this instance this is outweighed by the damage that would be done to TfL’s ability to use these recordings and any future contractual negotiations that may take place regarding the London Underground announcements.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some 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
