I would like to know about the bus companies which placed bids on the route 466 tender in november ot 2019

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TfL Ref: FOI-1726-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 30^th November 2020 asking for information about the 2019 tender for bus route 466.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. 

Specifically you asked:

“I would like to know about the bus companies which placed bids on the route 466 tender in November of 2019”.

I can confirm that we hold the information you require. However, the information is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, the exemption that protects against the prejudicial release of commercially sensitive information. In this case, the exemption applies as release would reveal to the world at large which companies bid for the route and which were unsuccesful with those bids. This would provide an insight into those companies which would be of commercial interest to their competitors. As a “qualified” exemption, 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, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument in favour of release. However, in this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as release of the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of those unsuccessful bidders, and enable their competitors to access useful information about them which would potentially reduce the competitiveness of the market. This could ultimately have a bearing on the value for money that TfL is able to achieve in any future such tender. We believe that, in this case, protecting the public purse is of paramount importance.

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 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,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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