Request ID: FOI-2334-2223 Date published: 17 January 2023
You asked
Dear TfL FOI Case Officers,
I am submitting a request for information on the current regulations governing cartop advertising for privately-owned cars, as well as PHVs and taxi-licensed vehicles.
I would like to know:
1) Besides Eyetease and Brightmove listed here: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/taxi-top-advertising, are you in contact with manufacturers and/or media providers to license their equipment?
2) What is the process of approving a manufacturer's screen for installation on licensed cars? Who, within TfL, is responsible for overseeing this process, and what are their contact information (email/phone number)?
3) Are there digital car toppers legally operating in London?
4) If no digital taxi tops are legally operational, do you have a detailed explanation as to why companies like Adverttu Limited (with company number 09861126), which recently rebranded to Drovo Media, have publicly announced that they're the first media provider to legally launch digital vehicle toppers in London? What actions will TfL take considering that their toppers don't fall within TfL's scope of technical requirements, nor are they listed on the approved manufacturer list. The announcement can be found here: https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/596732178/carbon-neutral-transit-advertising-drovo-launches-programmatic-digital-dooh-media-network
Additionally, please supply any documents of supporting conversations between TfL and Adverttu Limited that relate to the installation and/or approval of digital vehicle toppers.
5) Is TfL in conversation with, and/or is considering tenders or contracts with manufacturers or media owners regarding the installation of digital vehicle toppers on licensed taxis, private vehicles, or PHVs? If so, with who? Please supply any documents of supporting conversations between TfL and these parties.
6) With Firefly Mobility Media UK Limited's (14098909) acquisition of Ubiquitous Limited (05265883), is TfL in communication with the aforementioned parties, or their holding company Aventis Media Holdings Limited (12324169), about digital car toppers? If so, please supply any documents of supporting conversations between TfL and them.
7) Is TfL, or any other governmental body, currently studying the redaction of the law prohibiting signage on PHV vehicles? In addition, is TfL or any other governmental body studying the release of new regulations regarding digital vehicle toppers?
If you cannot, or will not, answer these questions I require an explanation as to why. I also require a response within 20 working days as per the legislation, and for potential delay(s) to be communicated clearly and in good time.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2334-2223
Thank you for your request received on 16 December 2022 asking for information about digital vehicle toppers.
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:
1) Besides Eyetease and Brightmove listed here: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/taxi-top-advertising, are you in contact with manufacturers and/or media providers to license their equipment?
We are currently amending our website information, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have been approached by manufacturers/media providers regarding this type of technology but this is early in discussions. As far as we are aware, there are no suppliers that are currently manufacturing ‘taxi-top’ type advertising technology.
2) What is the process of approving a manufacturer's screen for installation on licensed cars? Who, within TfL, is responsible for overseeing this process, and what are their contact information (email/phone number)?
Regulation 8 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London PHV Licences) Regulations 2004, as amended, provides that no signs or advertising material shall be displayed on PHVs, therefore, it is not permissible to install this type of technology on a PHV.
All aftermarket adaptation approvals are administered by our vehicle policy team ([email protected]).
3) Are there digital car toppers legally operating in London?
There are currently no digital advertising media installed on licensed taxis in London.
4) If no digital taxi tops are legally operational, do you have a detailed explanation as to why companies like Adverttu Limited (with company number 09861126), which recently rebranded to Drovo Media, have publicly announced that they're the first media provider to legally launch digital vehicle toppers in London? What actions will TfL take considering that their toppers don't fall within TfL's scope of technical requirements, nor are they listed on the approved manufacturer list. The announcement can be found here: https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/596732178/carbon-neutral-transit-advertising-drovo-launches-programmatic-digital-dooh-media-network
Additionally, please supply any documents of supporting conversations between TfL and Adverttu Limited that relate to the installation and/or approval of digital vehicle toppers.
There are currently no digital advertising media installed on licensed taxis in London. We do not hold information regarding the press release you have provided.
5) Is TfL in conversation with, and/or is considering tenders or contracts with manufacturers or media owners regarding the installation of digital vehicle toppers on licensed taxis, private vehicles, or PHVs? If so, with who? Please supply any documents of supporting conversations between TfL and these parties.
We are not aware of any conversations except in the case of licensed taxis. Please see our answer to question 6.
6) With Firefly Mobility Media UK Limited's (14098909) acquisition of Ubiquitous Limited (05265883), is TfL in communication with the aforementioned parties, or their holding company Aventis Media Holdings Limited (12324169), about digital car toppers? If so, please supply any documents of supporting conversations between TfL and them.
We are neither confirming or denying whether TfL is in communication with Firefly Mobility Media UK Limited or their holding company regarding digital car toppers as required by section 43(2) of the FOI Act. In this instance, disclosing any information pertaining to possible discussions could prejudice TfL’s or Firefly’s commercial interests.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. TfL recognises the need for openness and transparency by public authorities but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that TfL is able to obtain the best value for public money and not unduly prejudice any potential future revenue outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
7) Is TfL, or any other governmental body, currently studying the redaction of the law prohibiting signage on PHV vehicles? In addition, is TfL or any other governmental body studying the release of new regulations regarding digital vehicle toppers?
In March 2022 the DfT launched a consultation on their proposed “Taxi and private hire vehicle best practice guidance” – this consultation included relevant considerations to our advertising policy, and, given our desire to align ourselves with the DfT’s best practice where possible or appropriate, we are keen to understand the finalised position. This consultation closed on 20 June 2022, however the DfT are yet to publish their finalised best practice guidance.
The decision to consult or not on any changes will be dependent on the scale of changes being proposed, their possible impacts on licensees and the source of the proposed changes. More widely, we regularly review our policies to ensure we are, where possible and appropriate, compliant with the latest government standards or legislation.
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
