TfL Ref: 1848-2021

Thank you for your request received by us on 10 December 2020 asking for information about audio loops in London Bus vehicles.

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 hold the information you require. You asked for the following:

Please can you confirm that all TfL bus cabs have Audio loop? This is to help both passengers and drivers to communicate and help with those with disabilities such as hard of hearing.
Yes, this has been part of the vehicle specification requirements for London Buses since 2012.

Please can you tell us if there are any buses by the manufacturer that does not have this?

All new buses that entered service from 2012 have an induction loop system fitted in the driver’s cab, it is therefore standard across manufacturers now.

What assessments or audits are carried out to ensure the audio loop is functioning?
Performance and functionality tests are carried out as part of the commissioning process for new buses. In-house service tests for performance and functionality are implemented as part of routine engineering maintenance, and also engineering quality monitoring.

How often are the audits/assessments carried out to check the functioning of the audio loop?
These are carried out approximately every 28 days.

Is the audio loop testing a part of the first user check of the bus driver? If so please advise what method is used to check?

The testing of the induction loop system does not form part of the driver walk round visual checks. This is because testing of the system requires specialist engineering test equipment.

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Yours sincerely

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