Request ID: FOI-1826-2122 Date published: 20 December 2021
You asked
https://twitter.com/CabvisionTaxi/status/1460348095854694402
As an FOI request, can you please provide the emails between Bolt and TfL regarding changes to their modus operandi?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1826-2122 Thank you for your request received on 15 November 2021 asking for correspondence between Bolt and TfL regarding changes to their operating processes.
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. We were informed of some proposed changes by Bolt on 29 October 2021. Bolt has not implemented the proposed changes as they are still subject to discussion with TfL.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the remaining requested information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31(1)(g), which relates to information where disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the exercise by any public authority of its functions for any of the purposes listed in subsection 31(2) of the FOI Act, specifically,‘(2)(c) the purpose of ascertaining whether circumstances which would justify regulatory action in pursuance of any enactment exist or may arise’.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as the information we exchange with operators on their operations would be held only for the purposes of ascertaining whether they are complying with the regulations, in accordance with our responsibility for regulating the private hire trade in London. The exemption applies to protect our ability to clarify and confirm details on specific issues regarding general licensing matters. The prejudice would be caused by confirming whether or not the information was sent by us because it would affect our ability to engage with the taxi and private hire trade and would inhibit the free flow of information, particularly where there is disclosure of information about confidential and commercially sensitive data. Effective working between the trade and the regulator relies on a safe space where information can be shared at a sufficiently early stage to avoid the need for formal enforcement action and commenting on the veracity of communications on this subject would be detrimental to that safe space. This benefits the public as it enables greater oversight of private hire operators and better scrutiny of services by the regulator and our benefit because proactive discussion avoids costly enforcement activity, delayed access to information and increased bureaucracy. 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 that there is a public interest in understanding the scope of regulatory activity, and whether concerns have been sufficiently addressed. However we feel the balance of the public interest supports the exemption in order to enable the effective and timely sharing of information between ourselves and the taxi and private hire trade.
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
