Request ID: FOI-2312-2122 Date published: 08 February 2022
You asked
This is an information request relating to the cost of enforcing TfL and the Government’s mask mandate.
Please include the information for each of the period from 19th June to the present day:
• The total cost of enforcing mask wearing on the TfL network, including a monthly breakdown
• The total amount of money raised from fines issued to users of the network and the number of people who have been issued fines
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2312-2122
Thank you for your request received on 12 January 2022 asking for information about the enforcement of face coverings on our 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 hold some of the information you require. You asked for:
Total cost of enforcing mask wearing on the TfL network, including a monthly breakdown
Transport for London (TfL) did not employ any additional officers to meet the national legal requirement for face covering on public transport, when it was in force between 15 June 2020 and 19 July 2021. Our existing compliance and enforcement operational officers took on this responsibility. Our enforcement teams are specially trained and patrol the transport network to ensure compliance with our rules and regulations, and to keep customers and colleagues remain safe. As we did not employ officers specifically to enforce face coverings we cannot provide an answer to the first part of your request.
Please note that the cost of ensuring compliance with the mandatory requirement for face coverings on public transport is not limited to the employment cost of enforcement staff. It also encompasses other costs, including customer engagement by frontline colleagues, issuing face masks, media, marketing and communications. More information about the work we have done to make travelling by public transport as safe as possible for our customers can be found on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/coronavirus.
The total amount of money raised from fines issued to users of the network and the number of people who have been issued fines
The legal requirement to wear face coverings came into force on 15 June 2020. TfL’s initial approach was to engage and explain the new requirement through extensive customer-facing communications, and by frontline staff. For the initial three weeks following the announcement of the legal requirement, more than 100,000 complementary facemasks were handed out by frontline staff along with advice and guidance at our busiest train and bus stations to encourage compliance. TfL began enforcing this regulation on 9 July 2020, and between 9 July 2020 and 16 July 2021 a total of 4,365 fixed-penalty notices (FPNs) were issued by TfL enforcement officers. Around 500 enforcement officers across TfL modes were involved in face covering compliance activity. The legislation covering the legal enforcement of face covering was withdrawn on the 19 July 2021.
The value for FPNs issued during the period that face coverings were a legal requirement to date is £217,500. 1,276 FPNs were not paid and were subsequently prosecuted successfully. TfL has been awarded a contribution towards their prosecution costs of these matters of £252,558 by the court service.
While wearing a face covering on public transport was no longer a legal requirement, TfL introduced the mandatory use of face coverings on its services and in its stations as a Condition of Carriage. While the Conditions of Carriage did not allow for FPNs to be issued for breaches or for prosecution of offences, officers continued to refuse service and eject passengers who did not comply with the regulations.
National regulations for mandatory use of face coverings on the public transport network were reintroduced on 30 November, which allowed TfL officers to again issue FPNs for non-compliance. Between 30 November 2021 and 12 January 2022 1248 FPNs have been issued. The value for FPNs issued during the period that face coverings were a legal requirement, to date is £200. The £200 penalty is reduced to £100 if it is paid within 14 days following the date of the fixed penalty notice. 149 FPNs were not paid and pre-court letters have been issued notifying the individual that prosecution action may be taken.
If this is not the information you are looking for 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
