TfL Ref: FOI-2500-1617
Thank you for your FOI request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 1 March 2017 asking for technical information about our Oyster card readers.
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.
However, in accordance with the FOI Act we are not obliged to supply this information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under
section 31(1)(a) – prevention or detection of crime. In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of information about the Oyster card readers used could result in increased fare evasion if people are able to obtain detailed information about the readers we use.
Whilst we make no suggestion that you would use this information for anything other than you own interest, disclosure of this information to you has to be regarded as a disclosure to ‘the public at large’. Therefore TfL must consider how any potential recipient of the information might use it, rather than make assumptions about the intentions of the individual making the request. This information could potentially be obtained and utilised by individuals who may wish to evade paying their fare.
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 the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance the public interest in applying the exemption, in order to minimise the possibility of fare evasion outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Our fare revenue is used to keep front line services running. Across the TfL network, fare evasion costs Londoners around £70m a year. This is money which could and should be used to further improve public transport.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Melissa Nichols
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
