How many lift breakdowns have TFL recorded across their underground stations in 2021 and 2020?
Request ID: FOI-1818-2122 Date published: 07 December 2021
You asked
I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
I am seeking information on how often lifts in the London Underground stations breakdown.
If recorded, I would like to know the number of times lifts in each of the underground stations have broken down in the year 2021. If no information is available for this year, I would like to know the most recent data of lift breakdowns - perhaps from 2020 or 2019.
If possible, I would like information presented per station - i.e. the name of the station alongside the number of times the lift/lifts in that station have broken down in the past year (or the year most recently available). I would be grateful if you could send the data in Excel format.
Please could confirm in writing that you have received this request?
I look forward to your response within 20 working days, as outlined by the statute.
Thank you very much.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1818-2122
Thank you for your request received on 12 November 2021 asking for information about lift breakdowns on the London Underground network.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.
Like our other assets such as trains and track, we have a continual programme of maintenance and renewal for our lifts and escalators. Our lifts get a routine maintenance check every two weeks, a full MOT every six months and a partial refurbishment every five years. Lifts must be fully replaced every 10 to 20 years, depending on the type. Due to the nature of the work, replacement and refurbishment can take a number of months to complete. We are refurbishing and replacing lifts and escalators across the network to improve safety and journeys.
Escalator and lift replacement and refurbishment can be a lengthy process because of the size and difficulty of the task: Due to the nature of the work it can take a number of months to complete. We are always looking at ways to reduce disruption to customers while we undertake lift and escalator refurbishment and replacement. For example, we will sometimes replace more than one lift at a time to reduce the overall time they are unavailable. We are investing in vital improvements to the transport network including making more stations fully accessible across London.
When a lift is out of service station staff will take the following actions:
• Station staff notify the London Underground Control Centre (LUCC) – they aim to publish the information on the TfL website within five minutes of being notified • Display a poster explaining that the lift is out of service • Tell stations either side • Display the information on the train operators boards • Use general information boards to tell customers of the out of service lift as they might choose to use alternative routes
We will try to reinstate the lift as soon as possible.
London Underground has a legal obligation to provide alternative transport to a disabled customer if transport which is usually accessible to that customer becomes inaccessible. If a customer who needs step-free access cannot use a step-free station and therefore cannot reach their step-free destination for one of the following reasons, staff will ensure that they are given help to plan an alternative accessible journey:
• A lift is out of service • There is a planned closure • There is service disruption or a station closure (which means that a disabled customer would have a more difficulty continuing their journey)
Or
• An escalator or lift is out of service resulting in a disabled person, who is normally able to use a station is no longer able to • A disabled customer has experienced significant disruption to their journey (for example they were inadvertently sent to an inaccessible station and could not alight)
Please find the requested information attached.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
