Information about a New Routemaster bus got converted to full zero-emission battery electric bus
Request ID: FOI-1830-2223 Date published: 08 December 2022
You asked
Dear Transport for London
I saw on social media, a New Routemaster bus (fleet no. LT11 leased to Metroline) got converted to full battery electric by having their diesel engines removed.
Can you publish more information including documents such as specifications, contracts etc. in relation to the project please?
Can you name the manufacturer and companies that are involved with the project?
Can you reveal more projects in relation to rollout of new zero-emission buses?
Kind regards
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1830-2223
Thank you again for your request of 28th October 2022 asking for information about a new Routemaster bus that got converted to a full zero-emission battery electric bus.
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 saw on social media, a New Routemaster bus (fleet no. LT11 leased to Metroline) got converted to full battery electric by having their diesel engines removed.
Can you publish more information including documents such as specifications, contracts etc. in relation to the project please?
Can you name the manufacturer and companies that are involved with the project?
Can you reveal more projects in relation to rollout of new zero-emission buses?”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
For information on the technology, specification and companies involved please see the following Press Releases:
Regarding the request for the contract, please see the attached document. Note that a number of redactions have been made under sections 40(2), 41 and 43 of the Freedom of Information Act.
Section 40(2) is the exemption that protects against the unfair release of personal data, and has been applied to signatures, names and the direct contact details of individuals.
Section 41 applies to information provided in confidence, and Section 43 applies to information where release would be commercially prejudicial. These exemptions apply to a small amount of material within the main body of the contract and to the entirety of Schedule 8. This material is considered to comprise proprietary information of the contractor, the disclosure of which would prejudice both their and our commercial interests. Further, disclosure would constitute an actionable breach of confidence.
Section 41 is an absolute exemption. Section 43 is a qualified exemption, meaning we have to consider whether the greater public interest lies in the exemption applying or not. In this case we believe the greater public interest lies in the exemption applying. While we appreciate the need for openness and transparency in the operation of our business, we also recognise the importance of private companies maintaining control of their own intellectual property. If TfL were to disclose this information it would undermine the contractor’s business; damage our ability to engage with suppliers in the future; and would also constitute an actionable breach of contract - which would impose additional, unnecessary, costs on TfL if legal action were taken (noting that we are largely funded by the public in the form of grants and fares). For these reasons we believe the balance of interest rests in the exemption applying.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
