TfL Ref: 1663-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 20 November 2020, asking for iBus recordings.

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 do hold the information you require.

We have responded to several hundred requests for audio recordings over many years. However, due to current alternative working arrangements aligned with the Government’s measures to tackle the coronavirus, the FOI Case Management Team do not currently have access to the necessary hardware required to create CDs of audio announcements (we are unable to email them due to size) in response to FOI requests and so we are unable to process these requests remotely. Processing your request would require individuals to attend office premises, contrary to current government advice, in order to access the relevant equipment to compile the information requested and issue the response. We consider this to be a disproportionate burden on our staff and we cannot justify the use of our resources in this way at present for a request that we do not consider to carry any wider public interest other than your own.

Therefore we are unable to fulfil your request in accordance with section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act as we consider that providing the requested information would place an unreasonable burden on us at this time. It is essential for London, and in particular for all critical workers, that we continue to provide a safe transport network that enables them to make the journeys they need to and our staff are working hard to support them and protect all Londoners. We consider that answering this request would place a disproportionate effort of staff in these unprecedented times and would require the redirection of limited specialist resources as well take the attention of staff away from their core functions who could be supporting other essential activity.

Please know that whilst we consider that your request falls under section 14(1) of the FOI Act, this does not reflect a conclusion by us that it has been your intention to place an undue burden on our resources.

On the specific application of section 14(1) we have been steered by the ICO guidance on the use of that exemption that can be found on its website here: https://ico.org.uk/media/1198/dealing-with-vexatious-requests.pdf

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

Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London